Responding to Complaints of
Sexual or Physical Abuse or Harassment
There are several situations that may prompt a response regarding a complaint or concern about sexual or physical abuse including but not limited to:
- A child, youth or adult or reports possible abuse by a church official, member or attendee;
- Church official, member or attendee suspects that a child or youth is being abused;
- Child or youth reports possible abuse by a family member or other individual; or
- Church officials learn that a church member or attendee (child, youth or adult) is under investigation for alleged abuse.
Because child abuse is addressed directly in Maine State Law, such cases require a special adaptation of the First Universalist Church Disruptive Behavior Policy. When any of the situations described above is reported, the following procedure will be utilized.
A. Reporting Child Abuse to Community Authorities
It is not the function of the Minister, Director of Religious Education or Congregation President to conduct an investigation into accusations of child abuse. Rather it is both Maine Law and the policy of the First Universalist Church of Yarmouth to immediately report any situation in which we have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected. Such a report must be made to the Maine Department of Human Services at 1 (800) 452-1999. A report also must be made to the District Attorney's office in the county in which the alleged victim resides. In
Cumberland
County
the District Attorney's office can be reached at 871-8384.
Once a report is made to the appropriate authorities, the church will rely on the decisions of those authorities as to the validity of the complaint. It is also the church's responsibility under these guidelines to develop an appropriate plan of response to the allegations.
In all cases, the Minister will also notify the Northeast District Executive, and seek her/his advice and counsel. Additionally the Minister will notify the church's insurance company.
In the event the accused abuser is the Minister, reports will be filed by and the notifications referenced above will be the responsibility of the President of the Board of Trustees.
B. Convening a Response Team
When any such incident of suspected sexual or physical abuse is reported, a Response Team will be formed immediately by the Minister or President. This Response Team normally will consist of the Minister, the Director of Religious Education, the President of the Board of Trustees and at least two other members of the congregation appointed by the President. While the Minister is seeing to the required reporting (outlined in the paragraph above), the Response Team will gather necessary information and develop a response plan for the situation.
This plan will be put in writing, be specific to the situation at hand, and include clearly delineated action items, time frames and responsibilities. Care will be taken to ensure confidentiality to protect the alleged victim, the accused person and the reporter until the appropriate state or local authorities issue a finding or take action. This plan must address the safety and peace of mind of all parties to the incident; including the alleged victim, the accused (if a member or attendee of the Church), the reporter, and church staff and members and friends and particularly the parents of children in the church school. The response plan will be designed first and foremost to address the needs of the victim. In constructing this plan, the Team will draw on the methods outlined in our Disruptive Behavior Policy, and may use the scale for assessing the nature and severity of the referred problem contained in that Policy.
Additional meetings of the Response Team will be scheduled as needed to monitor progress in carrying out the plan. Further, it may be necessary for the Response Team to craft a revised plan, once the findings of State and local authorities are made known.
C. Safety Needs of the Congregation Regarding Reports of Abuse
1. Interim Safety Plan: When a report is filed by any person on behalf of any child and the suspected abuser is a church employee, member or attendee, the Response Team will develop an interim safety plan during the investigation of abuse. This plan may include, but is not limited to restricting attendance of the suspected abuser to adult-only church events, having a same-sex "buddy" with the alleged abuser at all church events, and refraining from any contact with children while attending a church function. The purpose of this plan is not only to safeguard our children, but also to provide protection to the accused abuser from further complaints. If the accused abuser is another youth, the plan must be developed with input from both sets of parents or guardians. The plan will be clearly communicated to the accused abuser or, if a minor, his or her parents or guardians, by the Response Team. The Minister and/or DRE may implement similar steps while awaiting initial action of the Response Team.
2. Permanent Safety Plan: Upon disposition by the Court, a permanent plan of restricted contact will be developed by the Response Team. This will follow the guidelines established above for interim safety plans.
D. Pastoral Needs of the Congregation Regarding Reports of Abuse
Following a report of suspected abuse, the Response Team will also develop a plan to address the pastoral needs of our congregation, including:
1. The victim: This may include providing information about or referrals to appropriate professional, community, and church resources, as needed. Additionally the Response Team may assist in dealing with DHS, the District Attorney or the Police Department.
2. Other members of our church Community: Support may be provided to:
a) church members or attendees immediately affected by the incident (such as family members or partners) whose needs we can help meet, either directly or indirectly;
b) the Minister (or other members of the church staff) to aid in dealing with the pastoral needs of the victim or accused person;
c) other members of the congregation who witnessed one or more incidents, or, who having heard about them, are reminded of their own concerns; and
d) other congregation members who are relied on to a great degree by the victim or offender (or those connected to them).
The plan established will be such that other individuals are not put at risk for further incidents.
3. The accused member of the congregation: Support may include helping the accused person access the appropriate professional, community, and church resources. While there may be feelings of ill-will toward the accused person, if that individual is a part of our community, he or she also deserves our support; withdrawing it at this critical point in that person's life might have severe detrimental long-term effects on his or her behavior in the future. It remains the mission of this church to recognize and support the integrity and inherent worth and dignity of that person even though we do not condone inappropriate behaviors, and to treat him or her with compassion.
4. Other victims who have been reluctant to come forward: If warranted, the response plan will include a way of reaching out to these individuals in a manner that is non-threatening.
E. Safety and Pastoral Needs of the Congregation Regarding Reports of Harassment
Incidents of alleged sexual or physical harassment of minors which do not warrant involvement of the DHS or DA shall be referred to the Director of Religious Education and Minister. They may request that a Response Team be formed to investigate such allegations. A plan shall be developed to address and resolve these complaints which shall make clear to the accused person that this church will not tolerate harassment of any form, as well as provide information about appropriate counseling or other resources for both the victim and the offender. The parents of the minor(s) shall also be informed of this plan and involved, as appropriate, in its development.
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