DMK SafetyNet Questionnaire for Mission Boards regarding Allegations of Abuse ~ Response SIM (Serving in Mission)

	Response by SIM (Serving in 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. The Mission will do everything possible to establish appropriate child protection policies and guidelines that will include screening and selection, supervision, report and disciplinary procedures. The Mission will also monitor the implementation of these policies and practices consistently in order to maintain safe standards. (Principles from Policy statement)
How does your organization define abuse?	Actions that include physical or sexual abuse of a child, or neglect.
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. All SIM Offices which accept personnel for service will develop and apply appropriate screening procedures for their applicants, and will require those they accept to sign a statement committing them to abide by the Child Protection Policy of SIM as stated in the relevant local applications of the Policy. All SIM Field Offices and where appropriate, all institutions related to SIM will develop locally appropriate additions to this Policy, and will require newly arrived members and Associates to sign a statement committing them to abide by that Field's Child Protection Policy. All institutions and locations where ministry to children exists will develop and implement guidelines for good practice.
If so, how is it disseminated?	The guidelines will be included in orientation procedures for newcomers. Applicants will be required to sign a statement committing them to abide by the Child Protection Policy. All SIM Field Offices and institutions related to SIM will require newly arrived members and Associates to sign a statement committing them to abide by that Field's Child Protection Policy.
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?
Who investigated the allegation?	Any allegation of abuse will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will then be taken in accordance with the procedures listed in the Personnel Manual. Written record of the accusation, the investigation and the conclusion will be kept in a sealed confidential file in the International Personnel Department. Qualified personnel, according to our Policies and Procedures.
Is it reported to any outside agency?	Yes.
If so, to what agency or agencies?	According to legal requirements of countries concerned.
If the allegation is substantiated, is the investigation broadened?	Yes.
If so, to whom?
If the allegation is substantiated, who is informed?	According to legal requirements of countries concerned. Relevant Mission Leadership.
If the perpetrator is dismissed, who is informed?	According to legal requirements of countries concerned. Relevant Mission Leaders, who inform others, as appropriate.
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.)	The Mission accepts the validity of counseling as an effective means of growth and encouragement toward maturity in Christ when offered by those who are spiritually, biblically and experientially qualified. All the above, plus follow-up for Adult MKs.
What happens when it is alleged or suspected that an older child abused a younger child who is currently part of a missionary community?
Who investigated the allegation?	Qualified personnel, according to our policies and procedures.
Is it reported to any outside agency?	Yes.
If so, to what agency or agencies?	When legally appropriate.
If the allegation is substantiated, is the investigation broadened?	Yes.
If yes, who is contacted?	Others concerned.
If the allegation of abuse is substantiated, who is informed?	Others concerned for the safety and protection of all.
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?	At least one qualified person, working in consultation with school and Mission leaders.
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.
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?	Thorough and appropriate investigation, to protect all concerned, according to our policies and procedures.
Who conducts the investigation? (Please speak to the affiliation, credentials, training and manner of the investigation.)	Qualified, trained personnel.
Who will be contacted and interviewed?	People who were in contact with the alleged perpetrator, and the victim, at the time.
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?	See above - according to our policies and procedures.
If the allegation is substantiated, who is informed?	Anyone who is/was affected.
Is it reported to any outside agency?	Yes
If so, to what agency or agencies?	In accordance with the legal requirements of the countries concerned.
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?	In accordance with the legal requirements of the countries concerned, mission leadership relevant to the situation.
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?	In accordance with legal requirements.
What steps are taken to help the victim heal?	See question 6 above.
Is psychological therapy available to the abuse victim?	Yes.
If so, is the therapist of the victim’s choosing?	Yes.
What support services will be made available to the parents and siblings of the abused survivor?	See question 6 above.

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