6.0      ACCOUNTABILITY CHAPERONE TRAINING

TRAINING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORT/CHAPERONE GROUP - Time: 1 ½ to 2 hours

(Email the Group participants a copy of the Accountability Support/Chaperone Group
document for them to read prior to training)

Support/Chaperone Group training will assist you to keep children, young persons, and vulnerable persons safe, understand your role and how to properly chaperone the offender.  There are many different types of sex offenders and behaviours, and therefore this training has been customized for a specific offender.  The offender is a sexual deviant commonly referred to as “Pedophile”.  A Pedophile is a person whose sexual desire is directed towards children. 

The following are Definitions for those who are most affected by pedophilia:

Child: Person 12 and under. The age of criminal responsibility is over 12 years.

Minor:  Person under 16

Young Person: Person under 18

Vulnerable Person: The Criminal Records Act, “Vulnerable Persons” are defined as any person who because of their age, disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, is in a position of dependency on others; or is otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person of trust or authority.  The Government of Canada explicitly considers refugees, including adults, to be vulnerable persons during the period of sponsorship and settlement.

When the Offender is on Probation/Parole Order and/or is on the Sex Offender Registry the Church Board will:
-          Advise the church lawyer and the insurance provider. 
-          Ensure policies and procedures are followed for legal and insurance obligations.
-          Inform the church membership. 
-          Send a letter of suspension to the offender requesting release of information.  He will be denied access to church property or participating in a church sponsored event until a Covenant is available and signed by the offender.  
-          Designate an Elder to oversee the implementation of an Accountability Support/ Chaperone group and compliance with the Covenant. The designated Elder will report to the Church Board.
-          Establish an Accountability Support/Chaperone Group to be made up of at least four members of the congregation of the same sex as the offender.   
-          Ensure an Accountability Support/Chaperone Group will be assigned to the offender for the entirety of their involvement with the church.
-          Arrange for Accountability Support/Chaperone Group training.

Insurance - Robertson Hall Protection Plus Insurance
-          $5,000,000 General Liability for Abuse, Molestation and Harassment Claims
-          RH confirmed that the covenant has been reviewed and approved in meeting the requirements of their insurance company to allow this individual on the premises during public services and activities, subject to the conditions contained therein.

The Offender is on PROBATION/PAROLE ORDER, PROHIBITION ORDER following time in custody and/or on the Sex Offender Registry

Probation Order: Lasts up to 3 years.  Signed by an offender to keep the peace and abide by terms and conditions.

Parole Order: On release from custody an order for sexual offenders to abide by the terms and conditions on the Sex Offender Registry. The offender will be on the Sex Offender Registry for life. 

Covenant

Discuss and review thoroughly the terms and conditions of the Covenant. 

The Covenant will include the offender’s probation/parole, prohibition order, and Sex Offender Registry terms and conditions.  

The Covenant is a binding promise signed by offender to abide by the terms and conditions of the Covenant.  

Purpose of a Covenant: 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 Church members.  

A Covenant will help the offender in keeping themselves safe from doing harm to children, young persons, vulnerable persons, and others in the Church. 

If the offender violates the Covenant in any way, they will be denied access to church property and church sponsored events.  All church members will be made aware of the violation.

Any criminal offence will be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. 

Note:  The Group cannot meet on church property until a Covenant is available and signed by the offender.

Review of Accountability Support/Chaperone Group Document

Purpose & Goal of an ASCG
-          To genuinely care for the offender     
-          To walk alongside the offender in discipleship and maintaining accountability.
-          To give the offender care, guidance and continue to decry resistance to change and hurting others.
-          To chaperone the offender at all times on church property or when participating in a church sponsored event.
-          Recognize a chaperone provides a means for an offender to live in grace in the life of the congregation. 

What the Accountability Support/Chaperone Group Needs to Know (Watch Out for)

Discuss and review these key points included in the Accountability Support/Chaperone Group document. 

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, and this schedule will be kept on record with the Safe Church team and 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.