Sexual Abuse Mission Trip Policy
Holly Springs Bible Fellowship

PURPOSE: It is the purpose and intent of our mission trip is to provide a safe, secure environment to teach and care for the children and students of our faith family.

GOAL: Our goal is to protect children from sexual abuse, child molestation or any type of inappropriate sexual behavior by employees or volunteers in this church and to protect employees and volunteers from false accusations.

DEFINITION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: The National Resource Center on Child Sexual Abuse defines child sexual abuse as "any sexual activity with a child, whether in the home by a caretaker, in a day-care situation, in any organized ministry, whether at the main facility (church) or away, or in any other setting, including on the street by a person unknown to the child. The abuser may be an adult, an adolescent, or another child.
Child sexual abuse can be violent or non-violent. It is criminal behavior that involves children in sexual behavior. Child sexual abuse can involve fondling; penetration of the oral, genital, and anal areas; intercourse; and forcible rape. Other forms of abuse can include verbal comments, any exposure to pornographic materials, inappropriate internet activity, obscene phone calls, exhibitionism, or allowing children to witness sexual activity.
This policy will address four (4) areas that are critical for the protection of the children, our employees, our church and New Tribes Mission: definitions, protection policy, reporting procedures, and responses to allegations.

I. DEFINITIONS

1. Minor- A minor is any individual under the age of 19 years.
2. Employee – anyone who is paid by the church on a full-time or part-time basis, whether or not they work directly with preschoolers, children and students. (i.e. Pastor)
3. Volunteer – anyone who is not paid by the church on a full-time or part-time basis, and is serving in any position involving the supervision or custody of minors (i.e. Mission Trip volunteer)
It is understood that each member of this team has truthfully submitted information to New Tribes Mission for a background check. It is also understood that each team member will abide by these guidelines and any other guidelines established by New Tribes Mission.

II. PROTECTION POLICY

A. Two Adults
Reasonable effort will be made to have two (2) adult workers present, or nearby, with preschoolers, children and students during any activity. Reasonable effort shall be made to assure that one adult is not left alone with one minor. A husband and wife working the same room will typically be considered as one adult for purposes of this policy.

B. View Windows/Open Doors
Reasonable effort will be made to place preschoolers, children and students in rooms with view windows or open doors for all teaching/learning activities.

III. REPORTING PROCEDURES

Observed or reported child sexual abuse or child molestation should be reported immediately to the Pastor (Jim Thomas) or the Island Chairman (Jan Wols). Reporting abuse can precipitate severe consequences to a family, so it should never be done casually or thoughtlessly, and certainly not for malicious purposes. At the same time, failing to report abuse can have severe consequences to a child at risk. Therefore, if you have reasonable cause to suspect abuse, you should talk with an appropriate person to see what steps could and should be taken to protect the child and help the family. As soon as time and circumstances permit, the report should first be made to the Pastor or Island Chairman, who will then proceed with the correct and thorough process.

IV. RESPONSES TO ALLEGATIONS

A. All allegations will be taken seriously and Holly Springs Bible Fellowship leadership and New Tribes leadership will take appropriate action in accordance with the current laws, insurance policy requirement, and based upon advice of legal counsel.
B. The official spokesperson for the church in any of these matters will be the Pastor, his appointee, or a designated member of the Church Board. No other staff members or church members shall speak to the media in an official capacity.
C. The church leadership will document (in writing, with date and signature) all efforts in the handling of any incident.
D. The church leadership will not deny, minimize, or blame any individual involved in allegations. Holly Springs Bible Fellowship staff will minister to all involved, as well as cooperate with authorities.