5.0 ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORT/CHAPERONE GROUP
Mountainview CRC accepts as central to its mission the establishment and maintenance of a caring environment for every child of God, not least our own children, and a place of grace for all sinners, including those who are sex offenders. Knowing that children, young persons, and vulnerable persons are at risk and do not have the ability to protect themselves, we determine to provide protection for them. We will do this by carefully monitoring those persons who have been accused, released on bail or probation/parole and/or are on the Sex Offender Registry while participating in the life of this congregation. Toward this end we have established an Accountability Support/Chaperone Group.
The Purpose of an Accountability Support/Chaperone Group
The Group’s goal is to be a spiritual support and to disciple the offender towards healing. To achieve this goal towards healing, the time together will be spent in scriptures, open conversations, holding the offender accountable, and ensuring they continue with counselling sessions.
The Group:
- Will genuinely care for the one who has offended.
- Will commit to “walking alongside” the offender in discipleship, prayer, and maintaining accountability.
- Will believe genuine, caring relationships and accountability exist together.
- Will be established to give the offender spiritual care and guidance.
- Will be willing to chaperone the offender at all times when the offender is allowed on church property or participating in a church sponsored event.
- Will recognize a chaperone provides a means for the offender to live in grace in the life of the congregation.
Why an Alleged Offender/Offender will be Denied Access to the Church until an Accountability Covenant is available and signed
A person who has received Jesus Christ’s forgiveness and been baptized, the offender, for the benefit of the church and its members, staff and officers, and as a person of faith, must promise they will adhere to a Covenant for the protection of children, young persons, vulnerable persons, and the Church members.
An Accountability Covenant will help the offender in keeping themselves safe from doing harm to children, young persons, vulnerable persons, and others in the Church. Therefore, the offender will be denied access to church property, or participating in a church sponsored event until a Covenant is available and signed by the offender.
Further, an Accountability Support/Chaperone Group cannot meet on church property until a Covenant is available and signed by the offender.
When an Alleged Offender/Offender has Signed an Accountability Covenant
The offender has signed and agreed to abide by the Covenant’s provisions as follows:
“I have reviewed this Accountability Covenant and agree to abide by its provisions and agree that if I violate this Covenant in any way, I will be denied access to future church functions and church property at Mountainview CRC. I agree that all church members will be made aware of the violation. I agree that any criminal offence will be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities.”
What the Accountability Support/Chaperone Group Needs to Know
- A family relative cannot be part of the Group.
- A member of the Group should be a mature adult over the age of 25 years.
- A member of the Group must be approved by the Church Board.
- All chaperones must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC).
- Chaperone training is required and will be approximately 2 hours.
- The Group will be made up of at least 4 members of the congregation of the same sex as the offender.
- The Group will meet once a month. If the meeting is in the church the offender will wait in their vehicle until a chaperone can escort them into the church.
- Group meetings at the Church can only be in the Fireside Room, and the offender will only use the single occupancy restroom next to the Council Room. A Chaperone partner will escort the offender to these facilities.
- When Group meetings are at the church, ministries must be advised. Ministries to be advised are Cadets, Gems, Friendship, or others where children, young persons, and vulnerable persons are involved.
- A member of the Accountability Support/Chaperone Group will be with the offender at all times when on church property or participating in a church sponsored event.
- The Accountability Support/Chaperone Group Member who is scheduled to be with the offender will remain in close proximity to the offender (2 meters), at all times when on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event.
- When a Pastor is a member of an Accountability Support/Chaperone Group, they will not be placed on a schedule to chaperone the offender.
- Members of the Group must ensure a copy of the Covenant, signed by the offender, is with them at all times when on church property or participating in a church sponsored event.
- If the offender violates the Covenant in any way, they will be denied access to church property or participating in a church sponsored event, and church members will be made aware of the violation.
- If a criminal offence is committed the offender will be denied access on church property or participating in a church sponsored event and the person will be reported to the authorities.
Chaperoning Expectations
The offender and chaperone must abide by the Covenant and the terms and conditions of the authorities.
The Group will establish a schedule for chaperoning whenever the offender is involved or is planning to be on church property or participating in a church-sponsored event.
This schedule will be kept on record with the Safe Church team and will be kept in the office of the church.
The chaperone will meet with the offender in the church parking lot at an agreed time but no longer than 5-10 minutes before a Group meeting on church property or participating in a church sponsored event.
At no time can the chaperone and the offender stop in the foyer area and must go directly to the Sanctuary or the fireside room.