Supporting a Safe Haven for Children and Youth
For the sake of the witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must be forthright, open and clear about the integrity and standard of conduct to which each congregation’s ministry is called and to which its leaders are held accountable. These suggestions are intended to provide guidelines for the faithful witness of the ministry of Christ Jesus, while providing a “Safe Haven” for children and youth congregational life. We understand that because each congregation is unique in the membership size, gifts and calling, it is essential that each congregation develop their own "Safe Haven" for the children and youth, which have been entrusted to them. In this way, the "Safe Haven" which you develop will work specifically for you and your congregational needs. To make this process easy and effectual, the following guidelines and recourses have been put together.
The goal of these guidelines is twofold. First, in accordance with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s initiative, “Help the Children,” each congregation has received information to assist in providing a “Safe Haven for Children” at a previous Synod Assembly. Additional copies of this material are available from Augsburg Fortress (ISBN#6-0001-0865-6, order #69-8115). Second, the guidelines provide a framework of suggestions through which each congregation may develop their own policies and procedures to assist their volunteer and paid children and youth program adult leaders in the performance of their ministry. It is recommended that congregations develop policies that address the following issues.
General Information:
In 75% of reported cases of sexual abuse, the offenders were known to the victims of their families.
Who are child abusers? Research has shown that child abusers come from all ethnic and economic groups. Based upon the case studies that have been made, many who abuse children do so out of ignorance of proper disciplinary techniques, thereby inflicting emotional or physical abuse. Unlike physical abuse of a child, which may be accidental and is nearly always situational, child sexual abuse is a premeditated act. Child molesters defy the stereotypes we have created. It is not easy to identify these individuals.
Note: Children with disabilities often become targets for all kinds of abuse. Their disabling conditions may increase parental frustrations, resulting in neglect, emotional abuse, and physical abuse. Vulnerability to sexual abuse is increased due to physical or mental conditions perceived by the abuser to increase the child's helplessness.
LYO Safe Haven Policy
ELCA Southeastern Synod Guidelines for Youth Event for Synod Sponsored Events
“Equipping Youth to Share God’s Love and Grace in the World”
1. Adult Supervision
*There shall be no synod sponsored youth activity without adult supervision.
* The minimum age for an adult is 21 years. (Young adults graduated from high school can serve as mentors at synod youth events but cannot be the main adult congregational leader)
* There must be at least one adult male for every 8 male youth and one adult
female for every 8 female youth present at all events.
*Youth and adults should never share a bed or hotel room together, unless the
adult is an immediate family member of all children or youth in the room. In
rooming situations, adult leaders should have their own room shared with other
adult sponsors. EXCEPTION: In situations, where groups are housed in a camp
setting with cabins, it is acceptable for multiple adults and multiple youth to room
together.
*If an event is held at a church, sleeping quarters and bathrooms shall be designated male and female.
B. Responsibilities of Synod Youth Ministry Adult Volunteers
*Adult Leaders and Youth event leaders should be active in an ELCA Lutheran Church of the Southeastern Synod. Except for Affirm, adults and youth from other denominations can participate in events sponsored by the Southeastern Synod.
* All adults are expected to actively participate in all activities, worships, etc.
*All adults should lift up the gifts they see in the youth participants. Encouraging youth to share their gifts and what they learned with their home congregation and community when they return from the event.
*All worship and activities will follow ELCA Lutheran theology.
* Adults are expected to see that all male and female individuals (youth and adults)
will sleep in different rooms in cases where team members are not housed with
their congregation
*Adults must abide by their signed covenant.
* Adults must fill out an Application
*Adults must submit information needed to complete a background check for every event and or a satisfactory background check from their congregation.
*Adults must be approved by the Bishop, Assistant to the Bishop of Young Adults and Youth Ministry and/or the Youth Ministry Team
D. Dismissal of an Adult Member
* Adult Members who risk the safety or violate the safety policies of the Synod will be
asked to resign
*Other infractions may constitute a warning or dismissal, at the discretion of the
Youth Ministry Team, Bishop or Assistant to the Bishop of Young Adults and Youth Ministry.
2. Travel Safety
*It is recommended that no youth drive to any youth event. This is the responsibility of the congregations and or parents depending upon the event.
* When driving youth for a synod activity, traffic laws will be obeyed at all times.
* All passengers must wear their own safety belts properly at all times
* Each driver is responsible for insuring that passengers put on their safety belts
* Each passenger must have a safety belt
* To drive a vehicle during a Synod sponsored activity, the driver must be at least 21 years of age.
*The driver should have a copy of each passenger’s medical release form in the car
at all times.
* Vehicles in a caravan should remain as a group
* If the group becomes separated, the driver should not put the passengers at risk
to get the vehicles one group
* The group should not leave until every driver has directions, map, and the phone
number of the destination
*Drivers should not text when operating a vehicle
*When in a caravan, the last vehicle in the group should have an emergency
medical kit and a cellular phone in case of a vehicle breakdown or other
emergency situations
E. In case of an accident:
* Check for any injured persons.
* If anyone is injured, do not attempt to move him or her. Make them as
comfortable as possible. Keep him or her warm. Administer first aid only if you
have the proper training.
* Do not leave the injured person unattended.
* Call 911 for an ambulance; give the location clearly and distinctly. Do not hang
up until they tell you to.
* Call the police or fire department as necessary.
* In the case of a car accident get name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and Insurance information of all other parties involved.
*Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses.
* Cooperate with police and fire department investigators.
* Call the emergency contacts of each person involved in the accident and inform
them of the accident and the well-being of all persons involved.
* Inform your insurance agent of the accident. Tell what happened simply and
factually. Provide names of any witnesses.
3. Emotional Safety
* No individual (s) will participate in playing a prank or practical joke which could cause
physical or emotional harm on another individual (s).
* No form of hazing will be accepted. Hazing is being asked to do something physically or emotionally abusive as acceptance into a group.
* No individual (s) will present skits, songs, or other forms of presentations that make fun
of an individual or their sexual, ethnic, economic, or denominational preferences.
*Explicit sexual language and jokes regarding sexual, ethnic, economic or denominational
matters will not be used or told by anyone. This should be stopped immediately if it is
heard.
*Any form of insulting remarks or put-downs will not be allowed.
* Anyone who wishes to participate in an activity should be included.
*If a child is feeling threatened or bullied they should immediately go to the adult in charge.
*When using movies in a educational or recreational setting, movies must be previewed
by the adults in charge. Movies up to a PG rating may be acceptable for youth in middle
school and movies up to PG-13 may be acceptable for high school. Movie clips from R rated
movies may be used in an appropriate instructional setting.
4. Physical Safety
* Registration, liability, and insurance forms must be on file before a youth, or adult may participate in a Synod Youth event. This must be signed by a parent/guardian of the youth with a phone number where they can bereached in case of an emergency.
*A secondary name and phone number should also be included in case the
parent/guardian cannot be reached.
* All participants/sponsors must have a medical release form filled out for each event.
Medical forms and First Aid Kits will be taken along on all activities and properly
maintained by the adult advisors.
*When available, a parish nurse, EMT, or RN should be present at all activities and administer all prescription and over the counter drugs. Directions to the nearest hospital and or emergency medical center should be available before the event begins for adult leaders.
* Adult leaders must be made aware of any medication taken by youth while at a Synod Youth Event. This should information should be on the youth’s medical form.
* No youth should be left alone at any event or elsewhere following a youth event.
Supervision of youth continues until all youth have been picked up from the event.
* No group or individual shall leave the large group without asking and receiving
permission from an adult leader in charge. Always try to move in groups of three or more.
* It is unacceptable to use, possess, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal
drugs, or misuse legal drugs while serving as adult leaders or participating or assisting with
programs or activities specifically for children and youth.
* Adults should not dress, undress, bathe, or shower in the presence of children or youth.
* No form of physical discipline for behavioral management of children and youth is
acceptable. Physical force may only be used to stop a behavior that may cause
immediate harm to the individual or to a child, youth, or others.
5. Physical Interaction
*Adults should not meet alone with youth in a private place for any reason.
Another youth or adult should be present during private meetings or the meeting
must be held in a public place. If an individual requests to speak with another
person alone, they should choose a public location in which they are in view of
other people.
*Adults should avoid being left alone with a youth after an event while waiting for
that individual’s ride. At least two adults or two youth should remain.
* When being alone with a youth is unavoidable, phone
contact with another individual can be used. For example: if you need to drive a
youth home, call their parents to let them know that you are on the way. This can
avoid communication misunderstandings.
* No individual will be engaged in romantic displays of affection beyond holding
hands and appropriate hugs.
* Married adults and family members should use discretion when showing public
affection.
*Hugging will be done only in group settings. (Both adults and youth have the
right to reject hugs if he/she is uncomfortable with them for any reason. Respect
this right to privacy.)
*When dancing, there will be no inappropriate physical conduct such as: slam
dancing, body passing, stage diving, or dancing promiscuously.
Types of hugs that are considered appropriate are:
1. A-frame hugs - hugs in which both arms are used, but the pelvic areas do not touch
2. Side hugs
3. One arm hugs
6. Sexual Misconduct
Physical Issues
* Sexual touch refers to any contact with the penis, vagina, buttocks, and/or
breast/chest area. This is not permitted at any time.
* If you suspect sexual contact is going on between two youth or an adult and
youth, consult one of the Adult Leaders of the event. Do not discuss you
suspicions with anyone else. The Bishop and Assistant to the Bishop must be contacted immediately.
* Remember that suspicions are not a reality. Talking with others about your
suspicions can spread rumors and bring about emotional, social, and spiritual
damage to all individuals involved. Discussion of this nature should be done in
confidence.
Emotional and Social Issues
* Discussion of sexuality should take place in a group setting with an adult sponsor present.
* No discussion of an individual’s sexual experience is allowed. If an individual
feels the need to discuss a personal sexual experience, they should share this
with an ordained pastor, an associate in ministry (AIM) or a professional youth
worker. If they do not wish to meet with a pastor alone, they may take an