Safe Sanctuaries Program
Care and Protection of Children
Pursuant to the Social Principles and Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, it is the policy of the United Methodist Church of Chugiak to nurture children, treat them with kindness and respect, and protect them from abuse and exploitation. We guard and protect our children from child abuse through our Safe Sanctuaries program. This is a preventive program, used by many churches, to protect children from abuse in any church activity.
Safe Sanctuaries mandates simple, common-sense procedures for youth programs. These include:
- Background checks and references for all paid and volunteer adult youth workers.
- “Two-Adult Rule” –2 unrelated adults present for all youth activities.
- “Five Years Older” Rule – young adults 5 years older than youth they supervise.
- No youth workers younger than 18 without adult supervision.
- Youth worker orientation, training, and covenant to abide by Safe Sanctuaries procedures.
- Windows in classroom doors, and open-door counseling.
These procedures safeguard children from abuse and also serve to protect youth workers and the church from liability. The program is administered by the Staff Parish Relations Committee.