FREE WEBINAR: Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting: Protecting Your Church in the #MeToo Era. April 18 at noon E.D.T. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xwE1zbYkTp-alINpjtGA4g
Category: child protection
1746 Building a Culture of Accountability
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5968145/height/90/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]When organizations lack accountability mechanisms, they can become stagnant. When someone suggests implementing some accountability or asks specific questions about current practices, the person responsible for that aspect of the faith community’s life often takes it as a personal attack. But when a community values accountability as a necessary part of good stewardship, moments of accountability can serve to improve the organization’s mission. Developing a culture of accountability takes time, but the process can be served by bringing in an outsider without personal connections to share what best practices look like. The three areas to focus on first in developing this culture are finances, child protection, and employee evaluation.
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“Court Upholds Large Penalty Against Jehovah’s Witnesses For Failure To Produce Documents”
“Court Upholds Large Penalty Against Jehovah’s Witnesses For Failure To Produce Documents” Religion Clause reports here on Padron v. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., (Cal. Ct. App., Nov. 9, 2017). Reveal reports here.
“New Mexico judge orders release of clergy sex abuse records”
“New Mexico judge orders release of clergy sex abuse records” Associated Press reports on the decison here.
“Federal judge dismisses lawsuit claiming disabled son baptized against their wishes”
“Federal judge dismisses lawsuit claiming disabled son baptized against their wishes.” The News-Herald reports here on DeFibaugh v. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio Board of Trustees, No. 1:17-CV-645 (N.D. Ohio Oct. 16, 2017). The boys’ parents were represented by the American Atheists Legal Center.
Ind. Ct. App.: Ind. Code doesn’t prohibit sex offenders from attending church
Ind. Ct. App.: Ind. Code doesn’t prohibit sex offenders from attending church. The Indiana Lawyer reports here on Doe v. Boone County Prosecutor, No. 06A01-1612-PL-2741 (Ind. Ct. App. Oct. 24, 2017). The decision interprets a statute that prohibits sex offenders from entering a building that is “school property,” defined as any “nonprofit program or service operated to … benefit children who are at least three years of age and not yet enrolled in kindergarten.” The court decided this did not include churches. The court also mentioned that the state would not prevail under RFRA claims, though it did not analyze those claims.
“Columbia (S.C.) church named in lawsuit involving sex abuse of minor”
“Columbia (S.C.) church named in lawsuit involving sex abuse of minor” WACH Fox 57 reports here.
1740 Responding to allegations of sex abuse
What should you do if a leader of your religious organization is accused of sexual abuse? Assess the facts. Contact and coordinate with law enforcement. Contact denominational leaders. Disclose the facts to the congregation and invite other victims to report. Offer counseling to victims. Call your insurer. Prepare for negative responses and turbulent times. And remember that you’re not alone.
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1738 Privacy and photos
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5754568/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]Religious organizations should be respectful when posting photos, videos, and audio from public events they host. Although nonprofits are exempt from the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), they should adhere to its requirements for children under thirteen to respect children’s privacy and avoid possible regulatory implications. Before posting, it’s best to obtain permission from adults and parents, which can be done by announcing that photos will be used for promotional materials and inviting those with concerns to speak with a representative or obtaining the permission on registration or permission slips. To protect privacy further, you can post only to online pages that are protected, for example a password-protected page on your organization’s site or an invitation-only Facebook page. It’s also a good idea to avoid including names in captions and file names to decrease the likelihood that someone can find the image.