Policies for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation

1 Policies for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation January 31, 2018 Table of Contents Sexual Exploitation Policy 1 Prohibition Against Sexual Exploitation 1 Definition of a Pastoral Relationship 1 Reporting Suspected Sexual Exploitation 1 Safeguards for Preventing Sexual Exploitation 2 Church Personnel 2 Safe Church Coordinator 2 Intake Officer 2 Requirements for Persons who have Pastoral Relationships 2 Activities for Monitoring and Supervising Pastoral Relationships 3 Behavioral Guidelines for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation of

2 Adults 3 Guidelines for Office Decor 4 Appendix A - Confidential Notice of Concern 5 Appendix B - Code of Conduct for Persons Who Have Pastoral Relationships 7 1 Preventing Sexual Exploitation Policy The Diocese of Oregon Prohibition Against Sexual Exploitation The Diocese of Oregon does not tolerate Sexual Exploitation in any form. Sexual Exploitation is the development or attempted development of a Sexual relationship between a person in any ministerial position, lay or ordained, and an individual with whom he or she has a Pastoral Relationship.

3 A Pastoral Relationship is a relationship between any clergy person and: any person who attends a congregation or other ministry setting in which the clergy person serves; any person who seeks ministry from the clergy person A Pastoral Relationship is also a relationship between any duly-appointed lay person, whether employee or volunteer, who is authorized to provide and does provide: counseling; pastoral care ( Stephen Ministers) spiritual direction or spiritual guidance; ministration of any Sacrament (other than the distribution of the Bread and Wine by a lay person at a public service of Holy Communion); life/leadership/peer coaching; hearing a person s confession, in the course of the duly-authorized ministry; leadership as a minister licensed under Canon , such as Pastoral Leaders, Worship Leaders, Preachers, Eucharistic Visitors, and Catechists.

4 Sexual Exploitation includes but is not limited to the following actions: 1. Verbal: such as Sexual innuendo, indecent proposals, sharing Sexual stories, jokes or fantasies,or making inappropriate comments about someone s appearance. 2. Behaviors: such as inappropriate touching, sending or posting communications with Sexual content (correspondence, email, text messages, instant messages, photographs, attachments, phone conversations, voice mail, etc.) 3. Sexualizing a Pastoral Relationship or relationship between a clergy or lay person and anyone to whom he or she provides ministry ( , requesting dates, giving unwanted attention, etc.)

5 Reporting Suspected Sexual Exploitation If you believe that you or someone else has been subjected to Sexual Exploitation , actions that violate this policy or inappropriate behavior, you may make your concerns known to the offending person if you are comfortable doing so, or you may report your concerns in accordance with the following: Reports of suspected or known Sexual Exploitation may be reported to: the rector or clergy person in charge of the congregation the senior warden of the congregation The bishop or the president of the standing committee The canon to the ordinary, members of the diocesan administrative team, or the SAFE Church coordinator Via any of the following: Telephone call 2 Letter Email Fax In-person meeting Filing a Confidential Notice of Concern form, found as Appendix A of this document and on the Safe Church page of the diocesan website.

6 Church Personnel are required to report any suspected or known policy violations to the rector or clergy person in charge of the congregation, or to the Intake Officer (see below) if the report is about a member of the clergy. All reports of Sexual Exploitation , policy violations, or inappropriate behavior under this policy will be taken seriously. Safeguards for Preventing Sexual Exploitation Definitions A. Church Personnel For the purposes of these Policies , the following are included in the definition of Church Personnel.

7 These individuals must be trained in Safeguarding God s People: Preventing Sexual Exploitation & Harassment All members of the clergy whether stipendiary or non-stipendiary All interns and person in the ordination process All paid employees and unpaid staff members All unpaid lay leadership (wardens, vestry/BAC members, members of other boards) All others who volunteer themselves for church-related service The following ministers licensed under Canon : Pastoral Leaders, Worship Leaders, Preachers, Eucharistic visitors, and Catechists Other persons who have pastoral relationships (Stephen ministers, spiritual directors, counselors, peer mentors, life coaches, etc.)

8 B. Safe Church Coordinator The Safe Church Coordinator is the person serving as the diocesan contact for questions about Safeguarding Policies and training. The Rev. Canon Carol Sedlacek serves as the Safe Church Coordinator for the Diocese of Oregon. C. Intake Officer The Intake Officer for the Diocese of Oregon is The Rev. Canon Neysa Ellgren Shepley. All reports of suspected policy violations or inappropriate behavior, or concerns regarding clergy behavior or questions about making reports should be directed to the Intake Officer for the Diocese of Oregon, the Rev.

9 Canon Neysa Ellgren Shepley or 971-204-4103). Requirements for Persons who have Pastoral Relationships Church Personnel who have Pastoral Relationships shall complete each of the screening, training and background check steps below. 3 A. Screening: In the hiring and/or recruiting process, supervisors for all church personnel will complete at least 3 reference checks with persons who know the applicant. B. Screening: Persons who have Pastoral Relationships shall be known to the clergy and congregation for at least 6 months.

10 C. Training: Persons who have Pastoral Relationships will complete the Safeguarding God s People training provided by the Diocese of Oregon or equivalent training in another diocese. D. Background Checks: Persons who have Pastoral Relationships will complete a background check (see section in the Policies & Procedures-Diocese of Oregon). E. Safeguarding training must be completed as soon as possible. In the interim, anyone not trained must be supervised at all times in their ministry. F. Safeguarding training must be renewed every five (5) years.