Safe Church


	Signs of Emotional Abuse Posted on May 13, 2013, 8:17 pm Topics: Emotional Abuse An emotional abuser intentionally and repeatedly threatens or says harsh words to wear another person down. Once worn down, the victim will try to avoid hearing the threats or nasty words again by doing what the abuser asks. Read more »
	Vulnerability, Adults & Abuse Posted on May 7, 2013, 6:09 pm Topics: Elderly Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse Churches and caring individuals can help stop elder abuse and mistreatment in their families and the community. Stand up for vulnerable adults in your neighborhoods and congregation. Read more »
	What is a Classical Safe Church Team? Posted on May 2, 2013, 6:53 am Topics: Safe Church Team Synod has encouraged each classis to have a Safe Church team made up of representatives from each church. The team is a resource to churches, can support local churches in creating safety at the congregational level and empowers churches to be a support to individuals affected by abuse. Read more »
	Questions Children Ask About Abuse Posted on April 22, 2013, 7:02 pm \| 1 comment Topics: Child Safety, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse Explain to children that, if they think that they are being abused, they need to tell someone they trust. Urge them never to keep abuse a secret, even if the person hurting them tells them that something bad will happen if they tell. Read more »
	An Ounce of Prevention Posted on April 15, 2013, 7:49 pm Topics: Emotional Abuse, Safe Church Team, Sexual Abuse Abuse is not always physical or sexual; there are many other ways that power and control can be maintained in a relationship. Read more »
	Ideas for April: Safe Church Posted on April 9, 2013, 7:20 pm Topics: Child Safety, Sexual Abuse Protective factors are attributes that serve as buffers, helping parents who might otherwise be at risk of abusing their children to find resources, supports, or coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress. Read more »
	Teen Dating Violence: What Church Leaders Need to Know Posted on April 2, 2013, 8:18 pm \| 1 comment Topics: Child Safety “Dating violence refers to a pattern of actual or threatened acts of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse perpetrated by an adolescent against a current or former dating partner.” Read more »
	Power, Love, and the Cross Posted on March 26, 2013, 10:52 am Topics: Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse Power can control many things in your life, but it cannot control, or bring you, the love you seek. Read more »
	What can Organizations do to Prevent Sexual Abuse? Posted on March 18, 2013, 9:07 pm \| 1 comment Topics: Sexual Abuse "Part of the work is ensuring that boundaries are established and maintained, the harm of sexual abuse is understood, and healthy relationships are actively talked about. Each of these is essential to prevention.” Read more »
	Child Abuse Prevention Resource Kit from Dove's Nest Posted on March 12, 2013, 4:16 pm \| 1 comment Topics: Child Safety Dove's Nest has created resources to help churches focus on the role they can play in child abuse prevention. Read more »
	Churches: Make a Plan for How to Deal with Abuse Allegations Posted on March 4, 2013, 6:52 pm Topics: Sexual Abuse "Often, ministers want to resolve such matters internally through counseling with the victim or the alleged offender, without contacting civil authorities.” Richard R. Hammar goes on to explain that “such a response can have serious legal consequences.” Read more »
	Education is the Best Prevention Posted on February 26, 2013, 8:25 pm Topics: Child Safety We can begin to prevent abuse by starting at an early age to teach our children respect for themselves and for one another; and by helping them learn what to do in situations that feel unsafe. Read more »
	How to Talk to a Child About Abuse Posted on February 18, 2013, 8:11 pm \| 1 comment Topics: Child Safety “Remember that you can do more harm by supplying a child with words and ideas. Let the child tell her own story and give you the answers.” Read more »
	Child Abuse: Top Ten Prevention Tips Posted on February 13, 2013, 11:42 am Topics: Child Safety, Sexual Abuse “Too often, intervention occurs only after abuse is reported. Greater investments are needed in programs that have proven to stop abuse before it occurs – such as family counseling and mandatory parenting education.” - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies Read more »
	Child Abuse: Disclosures and Indicators Posted on February 4, 2013, 8:32 pm Topics: Child Safety, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse “Research shows that children often tell about their experiences many times before action is taken to respond.” Read more »