CHURCH BOARD GUIDE TO A CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY


Educate the congregation about the screening program Screening programs that are “imposed” on church members rarely work. A better approach is to build support for the program through education. Sermons, Sunday school classes, newsletter articles, teacher training events, and Q&A sessions can all be used to educate, inform, and build support for the program. A membership orientation class can play an important role in sus-


taining the program over time and reducing the potential for conflict. During the orientation, all church policies concerning sexual abuse prevention should be explained. During that time, explain the thresh- old requirements for volunteer service with children and youth. Give each member a copy of the volunteer application and review it with them. Later, if a church member is called upon for nursery duty or some other responsibility involving children or youth and is asked to complete the form, he or she will understand what is being asked and why it is being asked. No one will be surprised or caught off guard by the screening policy.


2. Supervising Church Workers


Churches can be held liable on the basis of negligent supervision. Screening is the first line of defense in the protection of children, and in defending the church against an allegation of negligent selection.


The problem of negligent supervision Screening is only one part of a larger protection strategy. While a church can do an outstanding job selecting workers, it can still be found negligent if a child is hurt or molested during a church activity, and the church fails to provide adequate levels of supervision. Negligence means carelessness or failing to exercise reasonable


care. Negligent supervision is often used as a basis for liability against a church when children are molested. No church can guarantee the safety of every child who participates


in church programs. Injuries are bound to occur, regardless of the level of supervision. Negligence occurs when a church fails to provide a rea- sonable level of supervision. In such cases, a church may be found liable.


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