Child Protection Training

1. Child Protection Training Presented by: Pastor Parrish Relations Committee Pfrimmer’s Chapel United Methodist Church

2. What is child abuse One of the best ways you can help prevent child abuse is to understand what it is and how you can stop it. We will review the definitions and examples of the different types of abuse recognized by the Indiana legal system.

3. What is Physical Abuse? Physical abuse is the intentional infliction of physical injury or allowing another to do so. Some physical indicators include unexplained bruises, welts, burns, lumps, fractures, cuts or abrasions; dental/oral injuries.

4. What is Sexual Abuse? Sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual gratification by an adult or older child in a position of power, or permitting another person to do so. Statistics tell us that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they are adults.

5. What is Neglect? Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic needs for food, clothes, shelter, medical care, education or supervision. Physical indicators can include flat, bald spots on infant’s head; dirty and/or smelly child; torn, dirty or inappropriate clothing for the weather; developmental lags; underweight child.

6. What is Emotional Abuse? Emotional abuse is the attitude or acts of a caretaker which are detrimental to the child’s development of a sound and healthy personality. Some indicators include eating disorders; elimination problems; sleep problems; suicidal acts.

7. What is Bullying? • This definition includes three important components: • Bullying is aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions. • Bullying involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time. • Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.

8. "A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself."

9. Children who are Bullied • Children deserve to feel safe at church and church sponsored events. But when they experience bullying, these types of effects can last long into their future: • Depression • Low self-esteem • Health problems • Poor grades • Suicidal thoughts

10. Signs of Abuse • The following signs may signal the presence of a child who is abused or neglected: • Shows sudden changes in behavior • Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention • Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes • Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen • Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn • Comes to church or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

11. Signs of Abuse from the Parents • Shows little concern for the child • Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child's problems • Asks caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves • Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome • Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve • Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

12. Who abuses children? • very rarely a stranger • often someone close to a child (parent, baby-sitter, sibling, relative or friend of the family) • sometimes, someone in authority such as a teacher, youth leader, children's worker, or, very sadly, a church worker/leader • sometimes, pedophile and others who set out to join organizations (including churches) to obtain access to children

13. What can you do? Indiana law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. If you do not report suspected child abuse and neglect, you can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. You can remain anonymous and are immune from all civil and criminal liability, if you’ve made the report in good faith.

14. Pfrimmer’s guidelines and policies are about protecting both children and adults from abuse and accusations of abuse.

15. What we require at Pfrimmer’s All volunteers/employees, who work with children/youth, must undergo a training and screening process prior to beginning work. Training must be repeated annually in order to recertify.

16. Pfrimmer’s Policy Any person who has been convicted of a crime against children/youth or those who have a history of inappropriate conduct with children/youth will not be employed and shall not volunteer to supervise children/youth in any church-sponsored activity or program.

17. Definitions Child(ren) is defined as anyone age 12 and under. Youth is defined as anyone ages 13 thru 17. Adult is defined as anyone age 18 or older.

18. Who can supervise? Persons in charge of supervising children/youth must be 18 years or older. Youth may lead children as long as there is an adult supervisor present at the church sponsored event or program (as in VBS group leaders). Children may assist the supervisor or youth, however this is at the discretion of the supervisor.

19. Two-person or Open Door Volunteers/employees shall observe the “two-person rule” or the “open door policy” at ALL times. The “two-person rule” requires that persons supervising children/youth shall make every reasonable effort to avoid situations where the supervisor is alone with children/youth without a partner. Open door includes doors with windows.

20. How we treat our children Volunteers/employees will respond to children/youth with respect and consideration and treat all children/youth equally. Volunteers/employees must use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement and encouragement, rather than competition, comparison and criticism.

21. Reporting Procedures In the event of suspected, reported or discovered child abuse or violation of the Child Protection Guidelines of Pfrimmer’s, the employee /volunteer shall immediately notify the pastor or, the following individuals in this exact order, (1) the Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, (2) the head of the Administrative Council or Board when the pastor is absent. One of the individuals named above will call the proper authorities.

22. Response Procedures The care and safety of the victim is our first priority. We will not confront the accused without the approval of the Child Protection Service or law enforcement authorities.

23. Response to the victim We will not prejudge any person accused, but we will take any allegation of child abuse seriously and will reach out in Christian love and support of the victim and the victim’s family, extending whatever pastoral care resources are needed. We will fully cooperate with any authorities investigating an allegation of child abuse.

24. Response to the accused We will treat the accused with dignity and respect. If the accused is a volunteer/employee, that person shall be temporarily relieved of his or her duties until the investigation is finished and the person has been cleared by authorities. If the accused is a paid employee of the church, his or her income will be maintained until the allegations are cleared by authorities or until criminal charges are filed.

25. What can you do? Indiana law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. If you do not report suspected child abuse and neglect, you can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. You can remain anonymous and are immune from all civil and criminal liability, if you’ve made the report in good faith.