2014 SAFETY AND SEXUAL ABUSE

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SAFETY AND SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY Community Fellowship (CF) is committed to carrying out its mission while safeguarding children and students against emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. This commitment is evidenced by the following safety and sexual abuse policy. CF does not permit or allow sexual abuse or molestation to occur in the workplace or at any activity sponsored by or related to it. In order to make this “zero-tolerance” policy clear to all staff members and volunteers, we have adopted mandatory procedures that employers, volunteers, family members, individuals and victims must follow when they learn of or witness sexual abuse or molestation. Sexual abuse takes the form of inappropriate sexual contact or interaction for the gratification of the person who is functioning as a caregiver, leader or mentor and is responsible for the student’s or child’s care. Sexual abuse includes sexual assault, exploitation, molestation or injury. It does not include sexual harassment, which is another form of behavior which is prohibited by CF. Reporting Procedure All staff members who learn of sexual abuse being committed or who have suspicions of sexual abuse being committed must immediately: 1. Report it to the staff leader responsible for the ministry area or department in which the incident took place. 2. The staff leader will then report the incident to the following staff members: a. Department supervisor and/or lead team representative b. Joel Sisson, Children’s Ministry Pastor c. Gordon Spahr, Executive Pastor 3. As a mandatory reporter, a report will be filed with the Department of Child and Family Services of Illinois by calling the Child Abuse Hotline (800) 25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). Appropriate family members of the victim must be notified immediately of suspected child abuse. Local child protective service agencies must be notified as required by law. Investigation and Follow Up We take allegations of sexual abuse seriously. Once the allegation is reported promptly, we will thoroughly and impartially initiate an investigation to determine whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that sexual abuse has been committed. We will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or regulatory agencies. We reserve the right to place the subject of the investigation on an involuntary leave of absence of their responsibilities. To the fullest extent possible, but consistent with our legal obligation to report suspected abuse to appropriate authorities, we will endeavor to keep the identities of the alleged victims and investigation subject confidential. If the investigation substantiates the allegation, our policy provides for disciplinary penalties, including but not limited to termination of their relationship with our organization. Retaliation Prohibited We prohibit any retaliation against anyone, including an employee, volunteer, student or individual, who in good faith reports sexual abuse, alleges that it is being committed or participates in the investigation. Intentionally false or malicious accusations of sexual abuse are prohibited. Anyone who improperly retaliates against someone who has made a good faith allegation of sexual abuse, or intentionally provides false information to the effect, will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. Please Initial ______ Updated 7/22/2014

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEER - STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS Community Fellowship seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the people who participate in our services and activities, particularly those in Children’s Ministry. The purpose of this Statement of Expectations is to communicate the overall expectations of this volunteer role as clearly as possible. We cannot predict every situation that may occur, Children’s Ministry volunteers are expected to make decisions that protect their personal integrity and safety, and to assume full responsibility for those decisions. At no time does Community Fellowship expect volunteers to risk their personal integrity or safety to be heroic; as volunteers, there is a responsibility to come beside children and students to offer support without being responsible for their needs. While we are grateful for the willingness to help others, this is a volunteer role to be thoughtfully considered and entered into intentionally. Volunteers in Children’s Ministry understand the expectations for Appropriate Physical Contact  Under no circumstances will spanking, neck or choke holds, ear or hair pulling or any other corporal punishment be used.  Any touch should be age-level appropriate and for the purpose of encouragement and affirmation.  Volunteers should not encourage physical contact for their own needs. For example, statements of “Where is my hug?”, “Come sit on my lap”, etc. are inappropriate. Volunteers in Children’s Ministry understand the expectations for Appropriate Supervision  Two-Person Rule: no child is to ever be alone with a single volunteer or staff person.  This will require an intentional focus for married couples or family members to hold one another accountable to the highest standards for integrity and trust. Even when you volunteer with someone you trust [spouse, parent, sibling, etc.], the two-person rule is non-negotiable.  Never go behind closed doors or into a restroom with a child without another adult present. One adult can stand in the doorway creating a balance for integrity and being respectful to the child.  Teen volunteers can serve with kids in the presence of a screened adult; teen volunteer leaders will serve in teams with students. Volunteers in Children’s Ministry understand the expectations for Abuse Reporting  Volunteers should always report anything that looks like child abuse, seems suspicious, or makes them feel uncomfortable.  It is not a volunteer’s responsibility to prove or investigate; it is a volunteer’s responsibility to “Recognize and Report” what he/she has witnessed to a ministry leader. Volunteers in Children’s Ministry understand the expectations for Relational Contact Outside of the Ministry  Contact with a child outside of the context of a sponsored/endorsed event is not a requirement of volunteers.  If volunteers attend events with children outside of sponsored/endorsed events, they must obtain permission from the parents and notify ministry leadership; “one-on-one” time should be in a public setting [restaurant, playground, etc.]. By signing this document, I state that I have read the Safety and Sexual Abuse Policy (reverse side of this document), and this Statement of Expectations about my volunteer role in Children’s Ministry at Community Fellowship. Printed Name: _______________________________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________

Updated 7/22/2014