Safe Church, Safe Communities
1 Corinthians 12:12, 26-27
Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it. You are the body of Christ and parts of each other. (Common English Bible)
Background
The obligation to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being is binding for every baptized member of the Episcopal Church. The authority with which church leaders — including clergy, adults who minister to children and youth, youth in leadership roles, and adults who minister to vulnerable people — are entrusted, creates an inherent power imbalance in the pastoral relationship. This power imbalance derives from the leadership role and, in the case of clergy, the symbolic authority of an ordained person. Christian leadership is intended to provide occasions for guidance and grace; its abuse is always and unequivocally wrong.
The Diocese of Olympia takes its responsibility for the safety of our people seriously. The Safe Church, Safe Communities program teaches how to identify and prevent abuse within the church community.
Who Should Take the Training?
- Safe Church, Safe Communities is required for all canonically resident and licensed clergy.
- Safe Church, Safe Communities is required for non-clergy who have a key to the church facility, vestry and bishop committee members, church staff, Eucharistic ministers/visitors, and anyone who works with minors in any capacity.
- Any other interested parishioners are encouraged to take the training.
Certificates are valid for three years and then a renewal is required.
What’s Offered?
The Safe Church, Safe Communities training is on-line and organized into “modules.” To be certified in the Diocese of Olympia, you must take a total of nine modules:
- Universal Training: Introduction and Theological Background
- Universal Training: Organizational Rules & Policies
- Universal Training: Inclusion
- Universal Training: Healthy Boundaries
- Specialty Training: Power & Relationships
- Specialty Training: Pastoral Relationships
- Specialty Training: Abuse and Neglect
- Specialty Training: Bullying
- Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter
Each module takes about 20 – 30 minutes.
Other Modules Available
Please note that additional modules, that might also be relevant for your particular context, are available for viewing. We invite you to explore these options and adopt them as part of your local Safe Church, Safe Communities requirements where appropriate.
These include the following:
Universal Application
- Preventing Abuse and Exploitation in Pastoral Ministry
- Abuse Prevention Refresher
- Abuse Risk Management for Volunteers
Children & Youth
- Social Media Safety
- Keeping Your Day Camp Safe
- Keeping Your Overnight Camp Safe
- Keeping Your Church Safe
- Keeping Your School Safe
- Preventing Sexual Activity Between Young Children
Workplace
- Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors
- Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers
Elders
- Recognize Abuse and Exploitation in Elder Serving Programs
Resources
Note: These policies are models and, as such, present best practices for creating safe space. Circumstances in many localities may make some of these best practices difficult to implement or even unworkable. As a result, local entities may make additions or revisions in developing local policy so long as they meet or exceed the requirements of these policies. Any such additions or revisions must be submitted in writing for the approval of the bishop. No provisions may be omitted from a local policy.
Model Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth — Adopted by Diocesan Convention in 2018, as proposed by the Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies, in accordance with resolutions of the 2015 General Convention. Model Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth – Word Version
Model Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults — Adopted by Diocesan Convention in 2018, as proposed by the Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies, in accordance with resolutions of the 2015 General Convention. Model Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults – Word Version
More resources and reporting information related to the Model Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.
Audit of Local Congregations
The Diocese of Olympia is obligated to confirm by audit that each congregation and/or organization within the Diocese:
- Has adopted a policy that is consistent with and/or exceeds the requirements of these model policies;
- Provides accessible and appropriate training for all those who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Such training shall include, at a minimum, topics identified in these model policies;
- Has a process to ensure members access training and conducts public record checks where required;
- Provides and posts a list of local resources that can give information and assistance to anyone concerned about circumstances that may violate this policy;
- Has documentation of public records checks, application forms, records of screening, and reference verification of paid and unpaid persons engaged in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable
adults; - Has records of compliance with Screening and Training Protocols;
- Has procedures for responding to concerns and incidents; and,
- Can provide evidence of compliance with “safe space” requirements.
Getting Started with the Online Training
For any questions or concerns, please contact safechurch@ecww.org. To get started, click the button:
