EarthTraces Safe Sanctuary Policy

EARTHTRACES ABUSE
PREVENTION POLICY

"Safe Sanctuary Policy"

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:5-6)

Youth Age: Any person under 18 years of age who attends or participates in an EarthTraces sponsored or conducted activity (hereinafter "youth") is covered by this policy.
Adult Age: Any person of 18 years of age or older who attends or participates in an EarthTraces sponsored or conducted activity (hereinafter "adult") is covered by this policy.
Activity Leaders: EarthTraces activity leaders, assistants, volunteers, interns and staff (hereinafter "staff") must be adults and at least 4 years older than the age of persons they will be working with. Staff not meeting this requirement may not be left alone with youth and must work under the supervision of a staff member or staff members who are at least 18 years of age.

No adult who has been convicted of child abuse (either sexual abuse, physical abuse, or emotional abuse) may work with youth as staff.

Adult survivors of child abuse need the love and support of our organization. Any adult survivor who desires to work with youth is encouraged to discuss his/her willingness with an EarthTraces Director or Manager before accepting an assignment.
Six Month Rule: Staff must be active in EarthTraces programs six months before they may individually lead youth programs. Before this time, they may serve only in a team of two or more staff members. The EarthTraces Board of Directors ("Board") may consider exceptions to this rule.
Two-Adult Rule: Two adults members who are not be married to each other are required in all close-quarter programming with youth.
Five-to-One Ratio: One adult is required to supervise and chaperone each 5 youth attending an in-nature, over-night or close-quarter activity. Where this is not possible, two adults who are not married to each other will be placed in every room, tent or other close-quarter area with a third serving as a floater with visual and physical access to all areas (requiring either doors to be open or having prominent windows in the doors).
Lodging: Youth of the same sex will room together without an adult. In situations where adults must room with youth or children in a hotel, cabin, tent or other similar situation, there must be two adults of the same sex as the youth. Adults shall not sleep in the same bed with any youth they are the parent or guardian of.

Married couples must room together separate from youth they are not the parent or guardian of. Unmarried adult couples or those involved in an emotional or physical relationship of any kind may not room together on an EarthTraces activity.
Transportation for EarthTraces conducted events must always have more than one youth or one adult in a vehicle. Exceptions to this rule are allowed only in emergency situations.
Release of Youth. Youth may only be released from an EarthTraces activity to the sponsor of the activity (typically their Pastor or Church Leader) or to the parent or guardian listed on the Youth’s Participation Application.
Open Door Rule: All activities with youth shall take place in open areas or rooms with clear view through windows or the door to the area shall remain open while it is in use.
Reporting Abuse: Law requires volunteers who work with children under the age of 18 to report any type of suspected child abuse to the proper authorities. Any volunteer who makes such a report in "good faith" is protected by law from any form of liability, but failure to make such a report can give rise to criminal and/or civil liability. You may report in "good faith" anonymously.

If suspected child abuse has occurred, contact the your local County Child Protective Services office. If immediate danger exists to a child, contact the Police, Sheriff or Highway Patrol (911) immediately and await their arrival or follow their instructions.
Incidents of child abuse or reasonably suspected cases of abuse, whether allegedly perpetrated by individuals associated with EarthTraces, its participating organizations or elsewhere shall be reported to the Board.
Policy Publication: This Abuse Prevention Policy will be continually posted on the EarthTraces website and in its offices.

EARTHTRACES ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

EARTHTRACES LEADER COVENANT

EarthTraces activity leaders, assistants, volunteers, interns and staff must review the EarthTraces Abuse Prevention Policy and complete the questionnaire below. Failure to comply or to answer affirmatively to each question is grounds for removal from further participation in EarthTraces activities.

Please answer the following questions and return:

As an adult serving in the EarthTraces Ministry, do you agree to observe and abide by all policies regarding working in ministries with youth? __ Yes __No
As an adult in this ministry, do you agree to observe the "Two-Adult Rule" to the best of your ability? __ Yes __ No
As an adult in this ministry, do you agree to abide by the six-month rule before beginning an assignment as an individual leader? __ Yes __ No
As an adult in this ministry, do you agree to participate in training and educational events provided that are related to your assignment? __ Yes __No
As an adult in this ministry, do you agree to promptly report abusive or inappropriate behavior to a Director or Manager? __ Yes __No
As an adult in this ministry, do you agree to discuss with a minister of this church your experience, if any, as a survivor of child abuse? __ Yes __No
As an adult of this ministry, do you agree to inform a minister of this church if you have ever been convicted of child abuse? __ Yes __No

I have read EarthTraces Abuse Prevention Policy and this Leader Covenant and I agree to observe and abide by the policies set forth.

Signature _______________________________________________ Date _____________

Printed Name ____________________________________________