Child and Youth Protection

The Church has a God-given responsibility to nurture and protect His people, especially those who are most vulnerable and in need of protection. Thus, caring for our children and youth is a sacred trust.

Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

What Is C4SO's Child and Youth Protection Month?

As the body of Christ, we have a spiritual mandate to protect those most vulnerable and to ensure the welfare and safety of all young people at our churches. With a special emphasis on training and awareness in September, C4SO helps our clergy and churches safeguard children and youth from any form of misconduct throughout the year.

We ask our Rectors to:

  1. Obtain and maintain sexual misconduct insurance coverage.
  2. Adopt policies and procedures that comply with terms and conditions set forth by their insurance carrier in respect to sexual misconduct.
  3. Work with their Congregation Coordinator to adopt the C4SO Child Protection Policy and the C4SO Youth Protection Policy.
  4. Work with their Congregation Coordinator to comply with the C4SO Implementation Guide for the Protection of Children and Youth in Local Congregations.
  5. Work with their Congregation Coordinator to ensure that all staff, volunteers, interns and fellows at their church have completed MinistrySafe Training or an alternate, comparable program.
  6. Submit a compliance form by September 30.

All C4SO clergy must complete MinistrySafe Training, which is required every two years. If a clergy person is due to renew their training, they will receive an email with a training link from MinistrySafe. Complete the training by September 30. 

Child abuse, in practical terms, refers to an act committed by a parent, caregiver or person in a position of trust (even though he/she may not care for the child on a daily basis) which is not accidental and which harms or threatens to harm a child’s physical or mental health or welfare. Each state has its own definition of what constitutes “child abuse” under civil and criminal laws, and each C4SO church should be familiar with the relevant laws and legal definitions in its jurisdiction. Many of the state laws include the following terms to define the actions of “child abuse” and “child neglect”:

  • Physical abuse
  • Neglect (both physical and mental)
  • Sexual abuse/exploitation

For specific definitions of child abuse and reporting procedures in your state, review the state-specific reporting instructions.

C4SO helps congregations create a positive and healthy environment for children and students through a five-step approach, managed by a Congregation Coordinator appointed by the Rector.

The five steps include:

  1. Screening
  2. Training
  3. Interacting
  4. Monitoring
  5. Responding and Reporting 

Learn more about these five steps in the Implementation Guide for Congregation Coordinators.

MinistrySafe equips you with the resources to create a complete child safety system.

We’ve made MinistrySafe training easily accessible to C4SO churches and those serving in them. 

How to use MinistrySafe:

  1. Contact your local Congregation Coordinator to receive your personalized link to MinistrySafe training.
  2. Once your email arrives, click the link at the bottom of the email.
  3. Watch the online videos and take the quiz. This will take about two hours or less.
  4. Once you’ve passed, you will receive an email certificate of completion.

That’s it! MinistrySafe will automatically update your training status and date of completion. Your Congregation Coordinator will be notified once it is completed.

Please note that some C4SO churches offer training through an alternate, comparable program. Please contact your Rector and/or Congregation Coordinator with questions or concerns. Your Rector is your point of contact if you’re unsure as to the name of your Congregation Coordinator.

Consult your state-specific child abuse reporting instructions.

Sex Offenders Groom Churches Too
What to do and say when a young person discloses sexual abuse
How to Spot Sexual Abuse in Your Church
Draw the Line: Relational Boundaries for Safe Youth Ministry
Saprea: Sexual Abuse Healing and Prevention Resources
Caring for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Pastoral Care, Confidentiality, and Sexual Abuse
Helping People Heal from Sexual Abuse

These are suggested resources that you may find helpful. They are independent sources whose opinions may not reflect or represent the views or position of C4SO. 

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

LEARN MORE

YOUTH PROTECTION POLICY

LEARN MORE

IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE FOR CONGREGATION COORDINATORS

LEARN MORE

September is Child and Youth Protection Month.
Deadline: September 30
Rector Compliance Form

January is Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Month.
Deadline: January 31
Clergy/Rector Compliance Form

April is Clergy Professional Development Month.
Clergy Training: The Connection Between Temperament and Leadership Malpractice
Complete training by May 11.
Clergy Compliance Form

Questions about Child and Youth Protection? Contact Eric Vinson, C4SO’s Director of Operations.

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