Due to the rising media attention to sexual misconduct over the past several years, the rise of such allegations within the church community, and tougher insurance requirements for ministries carrying the necessary levels of liability insurance, we are forced to implement new guidelines which will help protect all the children and youth who participate in our ministry programs.

 

There are some alarming statistics which are revealing of the times we live in today:

• “Almost 10% of applicants have some type of criminal record.” Volunteer Center of North Texas

• “46% of registered sex offenders could not be located through mail and phone calls.” The Dallas Morning News

• “67% of all victims of sexual assault reported to law enforcement agencies were juveniles (under the age of 18); 34% of all victims were under age 12.” U.S. Department of Justice Statistics

• “In 90% of sexual abuse cases of children less than 12 years old, the child knew the offender, according to police-recorded incident data.” U.S. Department of Justice Statistics

 

Given today’s culture, we simply cannot afford to enlist volunteers who could potentially put children or students involved in our ministry programs at risk.  Our new guidelines require that we:

1. Conduct national criminal background searches on all employees, including pastoral, ministerial, and director positions.

2. Conduct national criminal background searches on all ministry volunteers involved in any activities who have weekly contact and/or overnight contact with children or students under the age of 18 years old.

3. Have a formal process for completing reference checks on all new employees and volunteers.

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In order to maintain compliance with our policy, we are asking that you complete the attached disclosure form, authorizing us to make a formal inquiry of your criminal background.  Our only purpose is this inquiry is to provide the safest environment for the children and students of our church.  No questions will be made regarding any other part of your personal information.  Likewise, all results will remain in the church office in our locked files and will only be seen by our Pastor of Administration & Outreach.  There will be a list of approved ministry volunteers available to the Pastors, Ministers, and Directors over all preschool, children’s, and student ministries.  All individual information will be strictly confidential.

 

Thank you for your willingness to be a part of providing the safest possible place for our children & students.