All staff members of Calvary Chapel Escondido, regardless of title or position held (including volunteers), are mandatory reporters under this policy. Additionally, we believe that each employee is serving the Lord while working as an employee of Calvary Chapel Escondido. Therefore, all employees have a moral obligation to report any suspicion of child abuse and neglect to authorities, Child Welfare Services or Law Enforcement (Matthew 18:6-7). A minor is anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, one of the pastors needs to be notified of all reports made to authorities.
Each staff member is required to know, understand, and comply with section 11166 of the California Penal Code. When they know of, reasonably suspect, or observe any physical, mental, or sexual abuse to a minor, they have a duty to report such abuse to the authorized agency. An authorized agency is any police department, sheriff’s department, or other agency designated by the county to receive such reports. To get a complete listing of the agencies you can report incidents to, refer to penal code section 11165.9.
The mandated reporter must make an initial report to the agency immediately or as soon as is practicably possible by telephone and the mandated reporter must prepare and send, fax, or electronically transmit a written follow-up report thereof (form 8572) within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident.
All mandated reporters are required to complete mandated reporting training modules that will be assigned by Human Resources.
Mandated reporters are required to give their names when making a report. However, the reporter’s identity is under limited confidentiality as it may be shared with parties involved in the investigation and outside entities required by law to receive such information. Reports of suspected child abuse are also confidential. Mandated reporters have immunity from state criminal or civil liability for reporting as required. This is true even if the mandated reporter acquired the knowledge or suspicion of the abuse or neglect outside of his/her professional capacity or scope of employment.
When a staff member discovers that there is a serious threat to the welfare of a minor (other than those covered in section 11166 of the California Penal Code) and communication of confidential information to a parent or legal guardian is essential to the minor’s health and well-being, the staff member should attempt to secure written consent from the minor for the specific disclosure. If consent is not given, disclose only the information necessary to protect the health and well-being of the minor.
Consultation with a superior or supervisor is advisable prior to disclosure to parent(s), civil authorities, etc.
Pastors and Ministry Leaders, should maintain an open and trustworthy relationship between themselves and children and youth, never fearing to demonstrate true love to children and young people. Children and young people need to know that they are accepted, loved, and esteemed. At the same time, the heightened awareness of sexual abuse and exploitation of children and youth in today’s society demands additional safeguards to protect children and minors. A general climate of distrust and suspicion and the devastating consequences of a false accusation require the clear enunciation of expected practices when working with children and youth.
Pastors and Ministry Leaders must always be aware of their own and others’ vulnerability when working alone with minors. A minor is not to be allowed in the private residence of a Pastor or Ministry Team member unless there is at least one other adult present or there is a family relationship. At a minimum, the rule of two should be used.
Physical contact by Pastors or Ministry Leaders and minors can be misconstrued and should occur only under appropriate public circumstances.
Pastors and Ministry Leaders shall not share one-on-one accommodation with minors, except for their own family members.
An individual Pastor or Ministry Leader shall not provide overnight accommodations to minors in any Church-owned facility, private residence, hotel room, or other place where there is no other adult supervision present, except for their own family members.
In the rare emergency situation in which an accommodation is required (e.g., a youth running away from an abusive parent), efforts must be made to secure accommodation from a family in the congregation, a friend’s family, or with public authorities.
A Pastor or Ministry Leader at no time should give money, favors, or gifts to a counselee. However, it is acceptable to buy the counselee a meal, as long it is not on a habitual basis. In no way can purchasing a meal be used as a means to bribe or coerce.