Safe Congregations: Sexual Health Assessment Checklist

To complete this form before printing it:

  Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Do you: Have a Safe Congregations Committee or a Sexual Misconduct and Abuse Response Team with primary responsibilities for these issues?        
Have a written policy on safe congregations?        
Have a disruptive person's policy and procedure?        
Have written overall policies and procedures specifically on preventing sexual harassment?        
  Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Is the Safe Congregation Policy: Posted on the web site?        
Run in the newsletter once annually?        
Included in new members materials?        
Posted on a bulletin board?        
  Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Is the disruptive person policy: Posted on the web site?        
Run in the newsletter once annually?        
Included in new members materials?        
Posted on a bulletin board?        
  Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Is the sexual harassment policy: Posted on the web site?        
Run in the newsletter once annually?        
Included in new members materials?        
Posted on a bulletin board?        
Reporting and Screening Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Do you make sure that the Minister, the Director of Religious Education, and the Board Chair know the state laws for reporting concerns about abuse to children?        
Do all volunteers in the Religious Education program receive annual training on what to do if they suspect child abuse or child sexual abuse?        
Do you have a screening form for all employees, regardless of position?        
Do you have a screening form for all volunteers who work with children and youth asking them directly about possible histories of sexual offenses?        
Sexual Offenders Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Do you have a draft of a limited access agreement or check list for convicted or accused sex offenders?        
  Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Do you have a written policy in place for a process for responding to an allegation of sexual abuse: Against a Member?        
Against a Visitor?        
Against a Staff Person?        
Education Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Do you include education about child sexual abuse prevention in the religious education program at least twice during elementary school?        
Once during middle school?        
And once for your teen group?        
Do you hold an annual adult education program on sexual abuse prevention for parents/guardians and families?        
Do you have two adults present in each class or program for children and youth?        
Do you have two unrelated adults required for cars transporting young people to activities?        
Do all leaders of youth groups sign the Code of Ethics for Adults and Youth in Leadership Positions (PDF)?        
Childcare Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Does everyone (including teens and young adults) who provides childcare at church functions: Fill out the screening form?        
Receive training on sexual abuse identification and prevention, both by others and by self, including guidelines on appropriate touch?        
Are youth babysitters encouraged in writing and in a course to speak with minister or DRE if they have been sexual abused?        
Understand two childcare providers must be present at all times with younger children?        
Prohibit childcare providers at church functions who have not been screened and educated about sexual abuse?        
Pastoral Care Yes No Don't Know Plans for Improvement
Do you make sure the minister has a referral list of community organizations and therapists who specialize in sex abuse prevention and treatment in case you need them?        
Have support groups available to those who have survived child sexual abuse?        
Do you offer pastoral care for those who have survived child sexual abuse?        
Do you offer pastoral care for those who have survived or are currently experiencing domestic violence and/or sexual assault?        
Do you offer pastoral care for sexual offenders        

Safe Congregations: Assessing Sexual Health