1. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Plan to Protect Training Georgetown Alliance Church WELCOME!

2. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Purpose of Plan to Protect To help volunteers at GAC: Recognize some common signs that a child needs help Recognize some common signs that a child needs help Follow our reporting procedures when a problem is suspected Follow our reporting procedures when a problem is suspected Carry out policies to prevent child abuse and/or false accusations Carry out policies to prevent child abuse and/or false accusations Follow our health and safety guidelines Follow our health and safety guidelines Purpose of Plan to Protect

3. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Understanding the Churchs Responsibility We are a reflection of Gods love to those in our care and we take this responsibility seriously We are a reflection of Gods love to those in our care and we take this responsibility seriously Churches and their personnel are being held accountable for the acts of abusers within the church whether or not they were aware of the abuse. Churches and their personnel are being held accountable for the acts of abusers within the church whether or not they were aware of the abuse. There are 43 active court cases in Canada of child abuse within churches There are 43 active court cases in Canada of child abuse within churches The Churchs Responsibility

4. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect What God Says About Protecting Children Mark 10:14 Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14 Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil Bible References

5. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect What God Says About Protecting Children Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality...because these are improper for Gods holy people. Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality...because these are improper for Gods holy people. Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. Bible References

6. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect What God Says About Protecting Children Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently... Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently... Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Bible References

7. BE AWARE How to recognize some common signs that a child needs help

8. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Understanding Abuse Abuse is defined as a non-accidental physical or mental injury or mistreatment caused by the acts or omissions of parents or caregivers Types of Child Abuse: Physical Physical Emotional Emotional Verbal Verbal Sexual Sexual Neglect Neglect Child Abuse

9. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Possible Indicators of Physical Abuse Physical Physical –Bruises, burns, hair loss, grip marks Behavioural Behavioural –Disclosure, fear, sadness, tantrums Parent or Caregivers Behaviour Parent or Caregivers Behaviour –Historical abuse –Unrealistic expectations –Low tolerance or lack of self control –Substance abuse Child Abuse

10. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Profile of a Child Molester Over 85% of the time, the abuser is someone known and trusted by the child Over 85% of the time, the abuser is someone known and trusted by the child Most abusers have good jobs or professional careers; they may be married with children of their own; they often abuse many children over a number of years before they are caught or reported; and many have no record of negative involvement with police (Ontario Government Publication, 2002) Most abusers have good jobs or professional careers; they may be married with children of their own; they often abuse many children over a number of years before they are caught or reported; and many have no record of negative involvement with police (Ontario Government Publication, 2002) Child Abuse

11. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Possible Indicators of Sexual Abuse Pain or itching in genital area Pain or itching in genital area Difficulty sitting or walking Difficulty sitting or walking Girls Girls –Inappropriate sexual knowledge –Sexually provocative actions, promiscuity –Reluctance to go home Boys Boys –Poor gender identity –Reluctance to be involved with males –Self destructive, depressed, aggressive Child Abuse

12. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Identifying Suspected Abuse Situations Ask questions about bruises, cuts or unusual marks Ask questions about bruises, cuts or unusual marks Do NOT ask leading questions like: Did your parents do this? Do NOT ask leading questions like: Did your parents do this? Be aware of signs Be aware of signs Watch for a fear of relationships or close physical proximity Watch for a fear of relationships or close physical proximity Child Abuse

13. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Responding to Suspected Abuse Situations Comfort the child first – without physical contact Comfort the child first – without physical contact –They need your calm –Keep communication open –Move away from the crowd Get basic information Get basic information –Be clear on what happened Child Abuse

14. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Responding to Suspected Abuse Situations Notify your Childrens or Youth Ministry Leader Notify your Childrens or Youth Ministry Leader –Contacting Childrens Aid Society will be done if appropriate Keep Information confidential Keep Information confidential –on a need to know basis only Child Abuse

15. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Substance Abuse Social Indicators Social Indicators –Family history of substance abuse –Changes in peer group –Irritable, moody, aggressive Physical Indicators Physical Indicators –Hangovers, tremors, red eyes, fatigue Behavioural Indicators Behavioural Indicators –Deteriorating self-esteem, withdrawn –Cant cope, impulsive, depressed, confused Issues for Older Children

16. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Depression or Suicide Possible Indicators Possible Indicators –Preoccupation with death –Loss of significant person –Decreased academic performance –Feelings of helplessness/hopelessness –Frequent crying, tantrums –Loss or increase in appetite –Headaches/stomach aches –Symptoms of substance abuse Issues for Older Children

17. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Responding to Threat of Suicide Always take it seriously Always take it seriously Dont minimize their pain Dont minimize their pain Reflect their feelings back to them Reflect their feelings back to them Hear them out, listen & encourage Hear them out, listen & encourage God hasnt turned his back (Rom. 8:38) God hasnt turned his back (Rom. 8:38) Determine seriousness Determine seriousness –The more detailed the plan, the greater likelihood they will act Keep them safe, inform parents and seek professional help Keep them safe, inform parents and seek professional help Issues for Older Children

18. Introduction Be Aware The Churchs Responsibility Bible References Child Abuse Issues for Older Children Displaying Affection Special Events and Overnights Case Studies Be Safe In the Classroom Health & Safety Guidelines In the Washroom Purpose of Plan to Protect Resources Available Your ministry leader Your ministry leader Childrens Aid Society Childrens Aid Society –Legally bound to report abuse/neglect Christian counselors Christian counselors Community support Community support –See listing at the back of PtP manual Remember, if you are in a situation that requires professional help, admit it and refer Remember, if you are in a situation that requires professional help, admit it and refer Issues for Older Children