Steps to Prevent Abuse

HOW TO CRUSH KID MIN(istry):

Understanding Child Abuse

Steps to Prevent Abuse

Believe it or not, your proactive approach to preventing child abuse in your church or faith-based organization actually steers perpetrators away. Abusers are good at hiding in the shadows, but if you’re shining a bright light on your methods for preventing abuse and intentions to prosecute abusers, they’ll seek easier territory.

Child sex offenders often disguise themselves as harmless and caring people. They usually place themselves in a leadership role. Most importantly, these predators have the ability to create a sense of trust with both the child and their parents and are crafty at luring children into situations that may allow the offender to abuse the child.

At Restore we have some policies in place to make it difficult for sex offenders to have access to our children but also to prevent our volunteers from unfounded allegations. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Children’s ministry leaders must be at least 18 years of age.

  • Children’s ministry helpers aka Junior Volunteers must be in at least 4th grade

  • Children’s ministry TEACHERS must be associated with Restore Church for at least six months prior to volunteering and should also be covenant members or in the process of becoming covenant members

  • Any non-member volunteer should be regular attendees of the church for at least 6 months before being appointed to any service in the children’s ministry.

  • All children’s ministry leaders and teachers must successfully complete background checks.

  • All volunteers must participate in an Orientation and attend Child Protection Training.

  • After being approved, all volunteers must attend Sunday Worship Services at least three times a month unless away or ill.

  • All Children’s ministry leaders and helpers must review, sign, and act in accordance with the Restore Church Child Protection Policy.

THE “TWO-ADULT RULE

Restore strives to meet the “two-adult rule” whenever possible. As our volunteer pool grows we hope to make this a norm in our kids’ spaces.

  • Two approved workers must always be present during any children’s activity. One worker must be an adult background-checked member. 

    • HUSBAND & WIFE volunteer teams do not count as “two approved adults” and should never serve in the same classroom together.

  • One child is never alone with one adult. 

    • EXCEPTION: When taking a child to the bathroom one adult female is allowed.

  • If a child needs to use the restroom in the upper class classes the jr. helper will escort the child to the bathroom and the Adult teacher will leave the door of the classroom open until he/she returns. If this is not possible plan restroom breaks to be taken at scheduled times as a whole class.

  • We have an Open Door policy; parents or staff may visit and observe classes at any time.

PHYSICAL CONTACT

Physical touch and affection are important to a child’s physical and emotional development; however, they should be appropriate. When a child unintentionally inappropriately touches an adult, no reference to it should be made to the child, simply redirect their hand or body. If intentional, simply correct with the same tone as any other correction and then move on. Do not make a big issue of it.

These behaviors are generally ok. However, even appropriate touch can be inappropriate when excessive, done for staff’s personal pleasure or when the intention is to give preferential treatment.

PHYSICAL CONTACT:

1. Shaking hands.

2. High fives.

3. Hand signs and greetings.

4. Side hugs.

Even physical contact that is considered ‘appropriate’ must be consented to by the minor, and be appropriate for the situation.