Safe Church Policy
Mayflower Presbyterian Church
Pacific Grove, California
May 2016
I. INTRODUCTION
Mayflower’s Safe Church policy enacts procedures to protect those persons most vulnerable to
abuse, namely our children and susceptible adults. Mayflower’s policy addresses safe
procedures to protect all vulnerable persons, with primary focus on preventing child abuse.
Child sexual abuse is a tragic reality, even within the confines of Christian churches. Common
myths such as ‘it could never happen in our church’ or ‘sexual predators would not target a
church’ place churches at risk. In fact, churches must remain particularly vigilant to child sexual
abuse given the relative ease at which adults can access children within the congregation.
Mayflower’s leadership assumes responsibility to establish the safest possible worship
environment, but implicit responsibility lies with all church members and regular visitors to
proactively implement the policy to safeguard our church family.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:13-14
II. DEFINITIONS
For awareness and clarity, we provide the following definitions.
1. Child. In this document, the word “child” refers to any person before his or her 18th
birthday or the end of the senior year of high school, whichever comes last.
2. Child sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to:
a. Use of a child for sexual stimulation of an adult, a third person, or the child, and
b. Risqué jokes, innuendo, sexually suggestive visual contact, unwelcome casual
touch, unwelcome and inappropriate hugs and kisses, and sexually suggestive
pictures between an adult and a child, as deemed inappropriate by any reasonable
adult.
3. Sexual abuse is sexual misconduct in the context of a clear breach of professional trust
and/or misuse of the power, stature, influence, or authority by an adult.
4. Mutual consent is sexual activity between two consenting adults. Mutual consent is not
possible when one party is a child.
III. INDICATORS OF ABUSE
Children suffering from abuse typically will not communicate these situations to adults.
Therefore, we must be able to recognize signs of abuse to help prevent or resolve child abuse
situations. Warning signs of abuse are listed below.
1. Physical signs.
a. Irritated, painful, or injured genital area.
b. Difficulty going to the restroom.
c. Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.
d. Difficulty walking or sitting.
2. Behavioral signs.
a. Extreme changes in behavior such as a sudden loss or increase in appetite.
b. Sudden refusal to do something previously enjoyed or be with someone
previously liked.
c. Recurrent nightmares, disturbed sleep patterns, or fear of the dark.
d. Regression to more infantile behavior such as bed wetting, soiling underclothing,
thumb sucking, or excessive crying.
e. Unusual interest or knowledge of sexual matters, expressing affection in ways
inappropriate for a child of that age, or acting in an unusually seductive way
towards adults or peers.
f. Unusual sexual themes expressed through the child’s schoolwork, art, poems,
stories, etc.
g. Fear or intense dislike of being left somewhere or with someone. Showing
anxiety when approaching a church or nursery area.
h. Fear or intense dislike of a person.
i. Expression by a child that he/she has been involved sexually with an older person.
j. Comments that a particular adult likes to spend time with them.
IV. EMPLOYEE AND VOLUNTEER SCREENING
A first step toward prevention of child abuse is screening. Mayflower conducts background
checks for all elder, deacon, and staff member candidates, as well as volunteers who work with
children or vulnerable adults. The background check includes a search of the registered sex
offender database. Additionally, Mayflower conducts reference checks and interviews of all
candidate staff members, and interviews volunteers associated with children’s ministries.
Mayflower also interviews minor volunteers (typically high-school students) who assist on
occasion watching (e.g. babysitting) younger children.
When hiring staff members or appointing volunteers to positions associated with children’s
ministries, Mayflower leadership carefully examines applicant responses to interview questions
and past experience. During the interview, the interviewer will review Mayflower’s Safe Church
policy with candidate staff members and volunteers. Candidates will abide by the policy prior to
hiring or assignment as volunteer. Thoroughly vetting employees and volunteers forms the
foundation for safe children’s ministries.
V.
EMPLOYEE AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Mayflower maintains a strong history of initial and refresher training for the prevention of child
abuse, to include initial half-day training sessions for staff members conducted by child abuse
experts. Mayflower implements half-day training as necessary. Mayflower also executes
refresher training courses online through www.insuranceboard.org and Armatus. Online training
offers multiple refresher courses that require approximately 40 minutes to complete. Annual
refresher training is required for all staff members and volunteers.
Mayflower encourages all adults in the congregation to review or complete online training.
Mayflower’s personnel representative coordinates child abuse training, maintains certificates of
completed training, and reports to session the status of completed training.
VI. SAFE PROCEDURES
Procedures noted here form the day-to-day actions deemed necessary for safe ministries.
1. Two-adult Rule. An overarching strategy adopted by Mayflower to prevent child abuse
is the two-adult rule. The two-adult rule states that two non-related adults must be
present when supervising one or more children. Both adults should remain in sight of
each other to the fullest extent. In some cases, a ‘roving’ adult may act as the second
adult when adult supervision is limited. When using a rover, classroom doors will remain
open to facilitate easy movement between rooms. The two-adult rule is designed
primarily for the safety of the children, but provides protection to adults as well.
If a high school or middle school aged youth is permitted to act as an assistant – albeit
rarely and only when a second adult is unavailable for the job – the youth must not be
related to the adult supervisor. If two or more youths are the helpers, at least one of them
must not be related to the adult.
2. Physical Contact Policy. Mayflower strictly enforces safety, respect, and appropriate
boundaries with regards to contact between children and ministry leaders. The not-allinclusive list below captures appropriate and inappropriate physical contact between the
children of Mayflower and ministry leaders. Mayflower recognizes the need to discern
forms of contact based on age. The list categorizes appropriate and inappropriate contact
by three age groups – infants and toddlers, preschool through kindergarten, and first
grade and older. We ask the congregation to become familiar with the contact policy and
enforce the policy should violations occur.
Positive and Appropriate forms of Physical Contact
a. Infants and toddlers (children two years old and under).
 Holding.






Rocking.
Sitting on lap.
Sitting beside.
Hugs.
Touching hands, face, shoulders, and arms.
Holding hands.
 Restroom and diapering. Parents or guardians must approve of restroom
assistance and/or diapering.
b. Preschool children starting at age three through kindergarten.
 Brief hugs.
 Arm around shoulders.
 Handshakes.
 High-fives.
 Sitting beside.
 Holding hands for prayer.
 Restroom. Adults will not enter the toilet stall when in use by a child. If
necessary, adults may enter the bathroom after the child has left the stall to assist the
child with cleaning potty-related messes (soil clothes, etc). In these cases, the assisting
adult will coordinate with the second adult and assist the child discretely.
c. Children and youth 1-12th grade.
 Brief hugs.
 Arm around shoulders.
 Pats on shoulder or back.
 Handshakes.
 High-fives.
 Sitting beside.
 Holding hands for prayer.
Inappropriate forms of Physical Contact
a. Infants and toddlers (children two years old and under).
 Touching bottoms, chests or genital areas other than for diapering or toileting.
 Kisses.
 Showing affection in isolated areas such as closets.
 Piggyback rides.
b. Preschool children starting at age three through kindergarten.
 Touching bottoms, chests, genital areas, knees, or legs (unless assisting with
cleaning potty-related messes).
 Kisses.
 Showing affection in isolated areas such as closets.
 Piggyback rides.
 Sitting on laps.
 Inappropriate or lengthy embraces.
 Occupying a bed with child.
 Wrestling.
 Tickling.
 Massage by adult to child.
 Massage by child to adult.
 Any form of unwanted affection.
c. Children and youth 1-12th grade.
 Touching bottoms, chests, genital areas, knees, or legs.
 Kisses.
 Showing affection in isolated areas such as closets.
 Piggyback rides.
 Sitting on laps.
 Inappropriate or lengthy embraces.
 Occupying a bed with child.
 Wrestling.
 Tickling.
 Massage by adult to child.
 Massage by child to adult.
 Any form of unwanted affection.
 Comments or compliments related to body development.
 Contact with undergarments, such as snapping bras or wedgies.
 Giving gifts or money.
 Private meals.
3. Minor on Minor Abuse. Mayflower recognizes the potential for minor-on-minor abuse.
Volunteers assigned to children’s ministries will receive instruction during their interview
so that the volunteers remain vigilant to such abuse. Volunteer instruction combined with
the two-adult rule forms the basis to prevent minor-on-minor abuse.
4. Safe Adult Procedures. Elderly members of our congregation and adults with physical
or developmental disabilities may be susceptible to abusive situations. As with children,
Mayflower will implement the two-adult leader rule to the fullest extent when conducting
older adult ministries. Additionally, Mayflower will conduct older adult ministries in
rooms with open doors and windows to enhance visibility and prevent isolation.
Routinely, Mayflower volunteers transport elderly members with limited mobility to and
from services or social events. In these situations, volunteers will exercise exceptional
caution when transporting elderly members or those with disabilities, to include safe
movement to and from vehicles and the church.
5. Camping. Church camping can provide wonderful faith building experiences for our
children. Camping requires detailed planning and preparation to ensure the experience is
safe and fruitful.
Camp leaders will apply the two-adult rule as described above when camping. Camp
leaders will also ensure facilities such as cabins or camp sites do not afford the
opportunity to isolate campers, greatly reducing the likelihood of abuse.
General safety rules apply while camping. Notably, camp counselors will be trained in
first aid to address injuries or emergencies. Additionally, camp counselors will be trained
in camp activities such as swimming or horseback riding when leading these events.
VII.
RESPONDING TO ABUSE
Employee and volunteer training includes instruction regarding abuse situations that require
reporting to law enforcement. Procedures stated in this section augment reporting obligations to
law enforcement.
In the event of alleged, suspected, or actual abuse, Mayflower employees or volunteers will
follow procedures listed below.

In the case where the involved child is hurt or been victim of known sexual abuse,
contact appropriate medical and/or law enforcement immediately.

Immediately report any alleged, suspected or actual incident of sexual abuse, or incident
of sexual misconduct (such as possession of child pornography) to the pastor or ministry
leader.

Contact or cause to be contacted the involved child's parents or legal guardians. If the
involved child's parents or guardians are not immediately available, entrust him or her to
the care of at least two trusted church adults until parents arrive.

Only discuss the incident with the involved child in the presence of their parent or
guardian, and ministry leader and/or pastor.

Document in writing the circumstances of the incident and submit documentation to the
pastor within 24 hours.

Do not discuss the incident with any persons other than those directly involved.

Cooperate with law enforcement investigating the incident. Provide law enforcement
requested information.

Do not sign documents without the advice of legal counsel.
VIII. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – SEX OFFENDER MEMBER
Mayflower has experienced and navigated the challenges of embracing a church member who is
a registered sex offender. While we affirm that person’s need for God’s redeeming love, we also
acknowledge our sacred duty to protect the children in our care.
To strike a balance between these competing obligations, Mayflower developed and
implemented an action plan that safeguarded our children, abided by the offender’s legal
restrictions, yet offered the offender reasonable opportunities for worship. Specifically, the
church restricted this member from all contact with children and excluded him from all church
social gatherings. Mayflower welcomed this member to attend Sunday morning worship in the
sanctuary and specific weekday prayer groups under mentorship of designated Mayflower adults.
Mayflower announced the action plan to the congregation during a Safe Church meeting. The
meeting conveyed results of this member’s offense, sentencing, and Mayflower restrictions. For
safety and liability reasons, we asked that all Mayflower adults assist with enforcing limitations
placed on this member, to include refraining from inviting him to church social events.
REFERENCES
“Child Protection Policy”. First Baptist Community Church of Los Gatos, Los Gatos, CA,
February 2003.
Melton, Joy. 2008. Safe Sanctuaries. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources.
“Safe Church Policies and Guidelines For Children from Preschool through Grade 6”, Sunnyvale
Presbyterian Church, Sunnyvale, CA, October 2009.
“Safe Church Policies and Guidelines For Children for Children in Childcare”, Sunnyvale
Presbyterian Church, Sunnyvale, CA, October 2009.
“Safe Church Policies and Guidelines For Children for Youth”, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church,
Sunnyvale, CA, October 2009.
“Sexual Misconduct Prevention Policy”, Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, Los Gatos, CA,
February 2007.