Safe Sanctuaries: A Comprehensive Abuse Prevention Policy Development Guide

Safe Sanctuaries: A Comprehensive Abuse Prevention Policy Development Guide is completely revised and updated, providing local church leaders with standards to development, implement, and monitor their own abuse prevention and risk reduction strategies.

At the urging of General Conference, United Methodist churches should have policies in place to reduce the risk of abuse of vulnerable populations, including children and youth, as a part of their ministry. These policies are shaped and enacted by the local congregations and organizations who will use them to prevent chances of abuse. Churches can rely on the connectional system of the UMC, either through their Annual Conference or through General Agencies, to develop policies that meet standards set forth by Safe Sanctuaries ®.

Discipleship Ministries views safety as an important component of discipleship. Safety and welcome are crucial as they allow for faith formation and discipleship to occur. Our Congregational Vitality and Intentional Discipleship Team has organized a comprehensive guide to aid local churches create their own policies and systems to prevent abuse. Church leaders can use this guide, in combination with their local and state laws, to help ensure that ministry within the sphere of their church leadership meets the minimum standards of Safe Sanctuaries.

DOWNLOAD Safe Sanctuaries: A Comprehensive Abuse Prevention Policy Development Guide (PDF)