Safe Sanctuaries

Today I was at Lexington UMC for Safe Sanctuaries training. I am very familiar with the policies and procedures that are part of this program that helps churches reduce the risk of child abuse. In fact, I helped create the guidelines that we use at First Church as we strive to be a safe place for our children and youth. However, I have been asked to help other churches develop their policies and needed this refresher class to be better prepared to do so. Almost immediately I realized that it is time that we review our policies and check that we are following them.

Some interesting facts to consider:

• Every church is at risk to be a site of child abuse.
• Less than 20% of child abuse is perpetuated by strangers.
• 1 out of 3 girls will be sexually abused by the age of 18.
• 1 out of 6 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18.
• 3 million incidents of child abuse are reported each year in this country. That equates to one incident every 10-12 seconds around the clock, seven days a week
• The legal costs of accusation of sexual abuse is $500,000 to 1 million dollars.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to welcome children and to offer unconditional love and care of them. Unfortunately, some of our churches have failed to be vigilant in assuring this. Let us not be one of them.