2.0 PROTOCOL/STEPS FOR A VICTIM
What the church must do when confronted with Sexual Offence/Abuse:
(A) Victim Is in immediate danger: Person discovered COMMITTING A SEXUAL OFFENCE on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event.
(B) Victim is Not in immediate danger: Person ACCUSED/OR ALLEGED (unproven Not discovered committing an offence) TO HAVE COMMITTED A SEXUAL OFFENCE on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event.
- Sexual Offence OCCURS ON Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church sponsored event. The alleged offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC. The victim is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC.
- Sexual Offence DOES NOT OCCUR ON Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church-sponsored event. The alleged offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC. The victim is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC.
The vast majority of child/young person abusers are parents/guardians, relatives, or trusted adults, and generally adult abusers are known by the victim.
(C) Mountainview CRC is advised by police and family services that a member or a person who attends Mountainview CRC is being investigated for a sexual offence/abuse. The person has not been charged.
(D) Upon learning of a sexual offence having taken place, offenders are sent a letter of suspension for the protection of victims or potential victims within the church.
2.1 What the church must do when a Sexual Offence OCCURS ON Mountainview CRC property, or participating in a church-sponsored event:
2.1 (i) Victim: CHILD/YOUNG PERSON – Sexual Offence/Abuse occurred on Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church sponsored event. The offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC, and the victim is a child/young person who is a member or attends church-sponsored events at Mountainview CRC:
(A) Victim is in Immediate Danger/Risk (offender discovered committing an offence): Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church. Call an ambulance if needed.
b. Find a secure place.
c. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
d. Note description of assailant.
e. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
f. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
g. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
h. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response Form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
i. The Church Board will call an emergency meeting. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. The Church Board will send a letter of dismissal including a Trespass Notice to the sexual offender.
Note: When a person is discovered committing a sexual offence on church property or participating in a church sponsored event, and the victim is a CHILD/YOUNG PERSON who is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC, WE CANNOT ALLOW THE OFFENDER TO RETURN TO THE CHURCH.
(B) Victim is Not in Immediate Danger or Risk (unproven NOT discovered committing an offence): Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church.
b. Find a secure place.
c. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
d. Note description of assailant.
e. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
f. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
g. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
h. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response Form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
i. The Church Board will call an emergency meeting. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. The Church Board will send a letter of suspension to the person involved (see sample letter) advising we will be suspending them from church pending further inquiries. Attach a release to request a P.V.S.C. – Police Vulnerable Sector Check which they must sign and return to the church.
Note: PVSC is a Police Vulnerable Sector Check which may identify pending charges and “persons of interest” who may be under investigation.
When a person is alleged to have committed a sexual offence on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event and the victim is a CHILD/YOUNG PERSON who is a member or attends church supervised events at Mountainview CRC, THE OFFENDER MUST BE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED BY POLICE AND/OR FACS NIAGARA.
2.1 (ii) Victim: VULNERABLE PERSON – Sexual Offence/Abuse occurred on Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church sponsored event. The offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC. The victim is a vulnerable person who is a member or attends church supervised events at Mountainview CRC:
(A) Victim is in Immediate Danger/Risk (a person found committing an offence) - Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church. Call an ambulance if needed.
b. Find a secure place.
c. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
d. Note description of assailant.
e. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
f. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
g. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
h. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response Form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
I. The Church Board will call an emergency meeting. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. A letter of dismissal including a Trespass Notice will be sent to the sexual offender.
Note: When a person is discovered committing a sexual offence on church property, or participating in a church-sponsored event, and the victim is a VULNERABLE PERSON who is a member or attends church supervised events at Mountainview CRC, WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO RETURN TO THE CHURCH.
(B) Victim is not in Immediate Danger or Risk (unproven and NOT discovered committing an offence) - Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church.
b. Find a secure place.
c. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
d. Note description of assailant.
e. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
f. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
g. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
h. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response Form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
i. The Church Board will call an emergency meeting. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. The Church Board will send a letter of suspension to the person involved (see sample letter) advising we will be suspending them from church pending further inquiries. Attach a release to request a P.V.S.C. – Police Vulnerable Sector Check which they must sign and return to the church.
Note: PVSC is a Police Vulnerable Sector Check which may identify pending charges and “persons of interest” who may be under investigation.
When a person is alleged to have committed a sexual offence on church property, or participating in a church sponsored event and the victim is a VULNERABLE PERSON who is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC, they MUST BE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED BY POLICE AND/OR FACS NIAGARA.
2.1(iii) Victim: ADULT over 18 years – Sexual Offence/Abuse occurred on Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church sponsored event. The offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC. The adult victim is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC:
(A) Victim is in Immediate Danger/Risk (a person found committing an offence) - Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church. Call an ambulance if needed.
b. Find a secure place.
c. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
d. Note description of assailant.
e. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
f. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
g. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
h. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
i. The Church Board will call an emergency meeting. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. A letter of dismissal including a Trespass Notice will be sent to the sexual offender.
Note: When a person is discovered committing a sexual offence on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event, and the victim is an ADULT who is a member or attends church supervised events at Mountainview CRC, WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO RETURN TO THE CHURCH.
(B) Victim is not in Immediate Danger or Risk (unproven NOT discovered committing an offence) - Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Advise the adult victim they should report incident(s) to police, and advise the adult, you or a designate will go with them to the police station.
b. Find a secure place.
c. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
d. Note description of assailant.
e. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
f. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
g. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
h. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
i. The Church Board will call an emergency meeting. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. The Church Board will send a letter of suspension to the person involved (see sample letter, Appendix ….) advising we will be suspending them from church pending further inquiries. Attach a release to request a P.V.S.C. – Police Vulnerable Sector Check which they must sign and return to the church.
Note: PVSC is a Police Vulnerable Sector Check which may identify pending charges and “persons of interest” who may be under investigation.
When a person is alleged to have committed a sexual offence on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event and the victim is an Adult who is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC, they MUST BE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED BY POLICE AND/OR FACS NIAGARA.
2.2 What the church must do when a Sexual Offence IS NOT committed on Mountainview CRC property or when the victim was participating in a church sponsored event:
2.2(i) Victim: CHILD/YOUNG PERSON – the alleged Sexual Offence/Abuse IS NOT committed on Mountainview CRC, property or participating in a church-sponsored event. The offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC. The victim is a child/young person who is a member or attends church supervised events at Mountainview CRC: Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Has the child/young person or someone else reported the abuse to Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731?
b. Contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church.
c. Find a secure place.
d. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
e. Note description of assailant.
f Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
g. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
h. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
i. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
j. The Church Board will send a letter of suspension to the alleged person involved (see sample letter, Appendix E) advising we will be suspending them from church pending further inquiries. Attach a release to request a PVSC – Police Vulnerable Sector Check which they must sign and return to the church.
2.2 (ii) Victim: VULNERABLE PERSON – Sexual Offence/Abuse IS NOT committed on Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church-sponsored event. The offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC, and the victim is a vulnerable person who is a member or attends church-sponsored events at Mountainview CRC: Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Has the vulnerable person or someone else reported the abuse to Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731?
b. If not reported contact Police 911, or FACS Niagara 905-937-7731. It is their duty to fully investigate NOT the Church.
c. Find a secure place.
d. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
e. Note description of assailant.
f. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
g. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
h. Complete the Church Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
i. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response Form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
j. The Church Board will send a letter of suspension to the alleged person involved (see sample letter, Appendix E) advising we will be suspending them from church pending further inquiries. Attach a release to request a PVSC – Police Vulnerable Sector Check which they must sign and return to the church.
2.2(iii) Victim: ADULT 18 years and over and the offence IS NOT committed on Mountainview CRC property or participating in a church sponsored event. The offender is a member or attends Mountainview CRC, and the adult victim is a member or attends church sponsored events at Mountainview CRC. Personal Urgent Steps Required:
a. Briefly ascertain what occurred.
b. Advise the adult victim they should report incident to police.
c. Advise the adult, you or a designate will go with them to the police station.
d. If the adult refuses to report the matter to the police suggest they contact a professional counsellor and assist them to receive help from outside agencies.
e. Note description of assailant.
f. Note physical description/emotional state of victim. Stand-out quotes/verbatim.
g. Note day, date, time and location of occurrence and when advised of the incident.
h. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
i. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
j. The Church Board will advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider.
k. The Church Board must ensure policy and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
l. The Church Board will send a letter of suspension to the alleged person involved (see sample letter, Appendix E) advising we will be suspending them from church pending further inquiries. Attach a release to request a PVSC – Police Vulnerable Sector Check which they must sign and return to the church
2.2(iv) Police/FACS Niagara contact Mountainview CRC and advise that a member or person who attends the church is being investigated for a sexual offence/abuse. The person has not been charged. There is a possibility you will be asked not to release any information to anyone other than the Church Board as their investigation could be compromised/ongoing).
a. Complete the Critical Incident Response Form as soon as you can.
b. Inform the Church Board personally by handing a Critical Incident Response Form to a Church Board member. Keep a note of who and when they were informed.
c. At a later date check with Police/FACS Niagara to ascertain if the investigation is completed and if charges are laid.