January 22, 2010
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When CRC Ministers Abuse Part I
Cynthia* never expected that a pool party with church council members and her pastor would leave her humiliated and traumatized decades later.
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July 8, 2010
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End It Now Today!
From North America to Africa, from Europe to Asia, one of the great tragedies facing humanity, a tragedy not often talked about (or certainly not enough), is that of women as victims of violence—even in the church.
January 21, 2010
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Abuse Prevention: "We're Halfway There"
Half of the Christian Reformed Church’s 1,100 congregations now have a Child Safety Policy in place. And approximately half of the 47 classes (regional groups of churches) have Safe Church Teams in place.
January 21, 2010
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How We Fail to Create Safe Churches
About 25 years ago reports began to surface about physical, emotional, and sexual abuse perpetrated by members and even leaders in the Christian Reformed Church.
January 22, 2010
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When CRC Ministers Abuse Part II: Shattered Faith
As a teenager Joanne Ravensbergen was abused by her brother-in-law, now a retired CRC pastor. . . the abuse “destroyed my faith,” she said. “I’ve burned my Bibles.”
December 29, 2010
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Tips to Make a Facility Safer
Here are some tips on facility changes for the protection of youth.
January 4, 2010
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Just Like That...
Bad news never announces that it is coming. Bam...just like that....it's there. I've been occupying the office of Safe Church Ministry for 15 years.
June 14, 2010
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View From the Sparrow's Nest - Day Two
I mentioned in my first synod blog the anxiety I felt driving to synod and then how it seemed to dissipate with meeting and greeting old friends and colleagues. I felt like the sparrow protected by God's almighty hand. So I'll refer to these synod blogs as the "view from the sparrow's nest".
June 12, 2010
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Synod - Day One
Synod for me is like a lot of training events. In one respect, synod is a friendly environment to discuss a subject matter that is dear to my heart and therefore easy to talk about. On the other hand, delegates, like conference attendees, often ask pointed questions and challenge the speaker's knowledge or the opinions of others. It is this second respect which draws out the anxiety in me and probably in a few other speakers.
June 15, 2010
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View From the Sparrow's Nest: Day Three
We work over breaks and take a break over meetings. During meal times and break times, we have several conversations .... each one conducted fast and with few words, but ...
May 28, 2010
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Fourth Question in the series "I'd like to know something about..."
The fourth in a series of questions frequently raised in training sessions: I am a man who cares deeply about sexual abuse, but what can one man do to make a difference? Isn't (sexual abuse) primarily a problem women need to learn how to keep themselves safe? Gerry Heyboer writes the following response. The answer to the first question is "A lot!" The answer to the second question is "No!"
January 18, 2010
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Deja Vu All Over Again
Don't get caught thinking that a criminal record check is the only screening you need to do.
June 16, 2010
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View From the Sparrow's Nest - Day Four
His eye is on the sparrow, but he was tapping my shoulder all morning.
July 8, 2010
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So what happened at Synod?
You can wait for the Acts of Synod to be published, or you can take a peek at some of the decisions of Synod 2010 that impact the Safe Church Ministry.
December 7, 2010
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Conned-sent
Consent is not just permission; consent also implies that we understand the consequences of our actions. Learn more about consent in this blog and in future blogs.
December 10, 2010
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Con-cent: When Your Consent Isn't Worth a Penny
Although it does vary, in most states and provinces, the age of consent is 16. Below age 16, a minor is regarded as unable to give consent; 16 or older and the minor is regarded as able to give consent. That does not mean, however, that everyone who is of age to give consent to sexual acts has given consent ...
January 11, 2010
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Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
Insurance company devoted to reducing the risk of abuse in the church by providing sample child safety policies, insurance coverage, church volunteer training, written and video resources
January 11, 2010
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Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
CLEO provides many services, including booklets on abuse-related topics that are downloadable; example - Elder Abuse: The Hidden Crime
January 11, 2010
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Safe Church Ministry
Here is the website of the Safe Church Ministry of the CRCNA with resources to create awareness of abuse and to assist churches and organizations to respond effectively and justly to abuse incidents.
January 11, 2010
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Faith Trust Institute
Faith-based organization that provides written and video resources for the prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, and church leader misconduct .
January 21, 2010
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Questions From the Pickle Jar: Teens and Sex
A book from Faith Alive Christian Resources for teens that humorously covers topics related to healthy sexuality.
January 21, 2010
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Emotional Abuse: What You Should Know
This free guide provides a thorough description of emotional abuse, victims, abusers, and effects along with information about what to do when you recognize it and how to report it.
January 21, 2010
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Responding to Domestic Violence: Guide for Churches
This handbook is for pastors and other church leaders to help them respond to and prevent domestic violence.
January 21, 2010
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Preventing Child Abuse: Creating a Safe Place
Preventing Child Abuse will guide churches and nonprofit organizations through the process of designing and implementing child safety policies and procedures.
January 18, 2010
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Sample Letters of Invittion for Safe Church Recruiting
Sample letters for pastors, churches, and prospective Safe Team Members to be used for Classis Safe Church Team recruiting.