A quick, compassionate and unified response to an alleged incident of child abuse is expected. All allegations will be taken seriously. In all cases of reported or observed abuse in a children’s activity, the entire staff of that activity shall be at the service of all official investigating agencies.
The Conference Media Director, or his/her designee, is the only person/s authorized to make statements to representatives of the media. All requests for statements should be directed to the Media Director. Training in how to handle media requests should be a regular part of Conference staff training. A spirit of cooperation in helping the media find the “official spokesperson” is often helpful.
If the allegation concerns activities or persons outside any relationship to a Conference related event or activity, it is the responsibility of the staff person in charge of the Conference activity to make the initial contact with the Childline and Abuse Registry.
An example would be a youth telling a Conference camp counselor about abuse which by a relative during the prior year. If this report were made to the counselor in the course of his or her duties as a camp counselor, then an incident report should be filed with the camp’s Dean to be forwarded to the staff person in charge of the campsite within 24 hours.
If the allegation is against a Conference staff person or volunteer or if it occurred in the course of a Conference children’s activity, the staff person in charge of the children’s activity and the Conference Crisis Management Team shall be contacted immediately. The Conference Crisis Management Team will advise the Conference's insurance carrier.
In either case, pastoral support will be available to all persons involved with the incident as indicated.
