C&MA  2007 International Ministries Handbook: APPENDIX 4
CHILD ABUSE PROTECTION AND RESPONSE PROCEDURES

In an effort to assure opportunities for quality education in a culture of nurture and care, the C&MA desires to do all it can to prevent abuse. When allegations of abuse are received, the C&MA attempts to process them with integrity, justice, and redemptive care for those impacted and involved. The following policies are designed with these concerns in mind.

1. Definitions. Child abuse is generally defined as a non-accidental physical or mental injury or mistreatment caused by the acts or omissions of a child’s parents, caretakers, an older child or others who come in contact with the child. Child abuse may include the following.
   1. Physical Abuse. Non-accidental physical injury to a child that is not the result of reasonable and appropriate punishment.
   2. Physical Neglect. Failure by a child’s caretaker to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or supervision.
   3. Emotional Maltreatment. Belittling and rejecting a child; failure to provide a positive emotional atmosphere.
   4. Sexual Abuse. Sexual exploitation of a child done for the sexual gratification of the offender or another person.
2. State Reporting Policies. Child abuse policies vary from state to state. Most states require certain “mandatory reporters,” usually including medical and hospital personnel, school staff, teachers, psychologists, and social workers, to report suspected child abuse or neglect and the circumstances that might reasonably result in abuse or neglect. Under most state reporting laws, failure by a mandatory reporter to report to state authorities may be a criminal offense. In most states persons reporting child abuse in good faith, except for the perpetrator and conspirator, are immune from any liability, civil or criminal.
   There is a significant legal issue regarding whether state child abuse reporting laws apply to incidents that occur or individuals residing overseas. Despite the legal uncertainties of reporting the initial allegation or suspicion, upon completion of an investigation leading to the discipline and/or the release of IM personnel related to a finding of child abuse, IM will file a report with the appropriate authorities in Colorado, the initial state of residence of the abuser, and to the local country authorities, if appropriate, in accordance with the authorities applicable law. If the individual is not IM personnel but the child abuse involves a C&MA missionary child, then IM will determine the appropriateness of reporting to both U.S. and local authorities. Staff who have questions on these subjects should contact IM.
3. Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Within Overseas Schools. (applies to C&MA staff and MKs)
   1. Any C&MA school personnel who suspects that a child in the school is the subject of abuse or neglect must report that suspicion or knowledge to the school personnel designated by IM or the school administration to handle cases of suspected child abuse. A report must be made to IM no matter who is the perpetrator of the abuse. There may be occasions when a child indicates to school personnel that a parent or relative has engaged in abuse. On other occasions the suspected abuser may be an individual outside the child’s family including an older child (defined as under 18 years of age and more than four years age difference between the older child and the child).
   2. All reports are made immediately to the designated school personnel. First, the report is made orally, followed by a written report that includes all available information. If a person has a question about whether the activity or behavior observed reflects abuse, this is dis-cussed with the designated school personnel and IM, if necessary.
   3. Staff members making reports are required to maintain confidentiality and provide the report to only the designated school personnel unless there are local government mandatory reporting requirements in which case the staff member may be required to report to a local agency. Parents and/or guardians are to be contacted as soon as possible by the designated school personnel. In addition, the designated school personnel evaluate whether a report needs to be made to the proper authorities. This sometimes involves complicated legal questions as to whether a state or national reporting law applies, and IM and legal counsel may need to be consulted. This is all coordinated by the designated school personnel and IM.
   4. If a C&MA school staff member is suspected of abuse, IM requests that the designated school personnel appoint a team of three individuals, at least one of which, if at all possible, should be a trained abuse investigator as designated by IM and none of which is related to the suspected abuser or the child, to interview the person suspected of abuse and the child, if necessary. Should the investigation show evidence of sexual or physical abuse, then the investigation shall be expanded to locate all potential or actual victims. Ordinarily the person suspected of abuse is suspended immediately, pending investigation of the child abuse allegation. In all cases IM retains the right to terminate the employment of or otherwise discipline a C&MA staff member immediately without conducting an investigation of the case.
   5. The RD is informed immediately of all cases in which a C&MA staff person is suspected of abuse or a C&MA missionary child is the victim of abuse. A written report with conclusions, actions taken, and recommendations for follow-up action, if deemed appropriate by IM, is submitted by the designated school personnel to the RD following a child abuse report, whether involving a staff member or a person outside the school. Such a report is kept in a separate confidential file. At the discretion of the FD, RD, or VP/IM, the C&MA Sensitive Issues Consultative Group may be contacted according to the IM policy and practice related to this. Such action brings to bear professional Christian expertise on any overseas situation of a sensitive nature having to do with abuse issues of any form.
   6. The psychological and spiritual care of the child and the family members is of utmost importance to IM. As such, IM will work with the SICG to provide the necessary level of care to promote the healing and restoration of the child and the family members.
4. Church Discipline. If it is found that child abuse or other inappropriate or immoral conduct by a C&MA staff member at an MK school has taken place, IM follows the procedures outlined in “Disciplinary Procedures and Appeals” on page M-1. IM maintains frequent communication and supportive relationships with those suspected or found guilty of child abuse, so long as IM determines such action is appropriate in the circumstances and such individuals exhibit a willingness to listen, repent, change, and look to Christ for help but under no circumstances will an individual who has been found guilty of sexual abuse be returned to missionary service in the C&MA.
    

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