DMK SafetyNet Questionnaire for Mission Boards regarding Allegations of Abuse ~ Response New Tribes Mission

Does your organization have a policy regarding the handling of allegations or suspicion of abuse of children in schools operated by you or schools where the children of your missionaries are sent?	Yes.
If you have a written policy, would you provide us with a copy of that policy?	Yes.
How does your organization define abuse?	You will see our definitions in our manual that is attached. Note: Manual available as document <Click Here>. (Large file - 40 pp.)
Is your policy disseminated to the missionaries serving under your board as well as to school staff and any others who are entrusted with the care of the children of your missionaries?	Yes.
If so, how is it disseminated?	It is in our Policy Manual posted on our members site, reviewed at our new candidate process and sent to all fields for distribution.
What happens when it is alleged or suspected that an adult abused a child who is currently or was formerly part of a missionary community?	An initial investigation process is started and that moves into what we call an extended investigation.
Who investigated the allegation?	We have a Child Protection Committee that leads out the investigation. It depends on the breadth of the investigation how many more are involved. We will include one out of agency observer in each investigation.
Is it reported to any outside agency?	Yes.
If so, to what agency or agencies?	It is reported to the Florida Hot line, the hot line for the alleged offender’s home state and to local authorities overseas.
If the allegation is substantiated, is the investigation broadened?	Yes.
If so, to whom?	Depends on the case, to other family members if it is a family issue or to dorms and schools if involving a school.
If the allegation is substantiated, who is informed?	See above.
If the perpetrator is dismissed, who is informed?	The offender, the victim and victim’s family, the sending church, the local agency membership and it is posted in our agency periodical.
What provisions are made for appropriate treatment for the victim?
(Please speak to psychological therapy, counseling of parents to support their child, help for the parents.)	Our agency will pay for counseling for the MK. The model of counseling will be determined in fellowship with the family.
What happens when it is alleged or suspected that an older child abused a younger child who is currently part of a missionary community?	Same process as above.
Who investigated the allegation?	Child Protection Committee.
Is it reported to any outside agency?	Yes
If so, to what agency or agencies?	Same as above.
If the allegation is substantiated, is the investigation broadened?	Yes
If yes, who is contacted?	Same as above.
If the allegation of abuse is substantiated, who is informed?	Same as above.
Who decides whether or when the juvenile perpetrator is psychologically fit to be allowed back into the school (or dorm or mission hostel, etc.) where the abuse took place?	The professional counselor in fellowship with the agency member services department.
Is psychological therapy made available to the juvenile perpetrator?	Yes.
Is psychological therapy made available to the child who was abused?	Yes.
Are the parents of the perpetrator and the child who was abused counseled?	Yes.
If so, are family members free to see therapists of their own choosing?	Yes. In fellowship with the agency, we would want the counselor to be a specialist in the area of offence.
When an adult (former MK) alleges that he or she was abused as a child by a missionary caretaker, what procedures are in place to investigate the allegation?	Same as above.
Who conducts the investigation? (Please speak to the affiliation, credentials, training and manner of the investigation.)	The Child Protection Committee is made of former educators, lawyers, member services persons and specialists as needed by the offense.
Who will be contacted and interviewed?	All persons that both the victim and offender believe to be relevant as well as those persons identified by the Committee.
Will the investigators attempts to contact and interview all adult former MKs and others who, because they were once in the alleged perpetrator's care or lived in close proximity to him or her, were vulnerable to abuse?	Yes.
When an allegation of abuse is found to have validity, what is the process for investigating the allegation?	Please review the attached Abuse Manual.
If the allegation is substantiated, who is informed?	Same as above.
Is it reported to any outside agency?	Yes
If so, to what agency or agencies?	As above, US authorities and host authorities.
If the perpetrator is currently employed at a school, church, or other institution where he or she has contact with children, who is responsible for informing the employer about the perpetrator's history of abuse?	We will inform the employer as asked through a job reference. We sometimes take it upon ourselves to call, but this is legally a time bomb if we are discovered by the abuser.
Who in your organization is responsible for ensuring that the perpetrator does not again gain employment in a school, church, or other institution where he or she would have access to children?	Member services.
What steps are taken to help the victim heal?	Our Member Services personnel network with the victim and we also encourage counseling.
Is psychological therapy available to the abuse victim?	Yes.
If so, is the therapist of the victim’s choosing?	Yes, as long as he/she is a specialist in the area.
What support services will be made available to the parents and siblings of the abused survivor?	Counseling if needed.

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