Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy

Purpose

• The leadership of Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children and youth entrusted to our care.
• A safe and secure environment includes a formal, written policy to help prevent the occurrence of child abuse. The following policy and procedures are therefore established for the protection of children, youth, employees, volunteers, clergy, board members and all who serve at or attend events of Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp.

Definitions

• For the purposes of this document, the following definitions will apply:
  • “Child,” “youth,” or “minor” are defined as any individual under the age of eighteen (18) or anyone whose mental capacity is that of a minor.
  • “Camper” is defined as any minor who is attending an event sponsored by Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp under the supervision of Camp staff.
  • “Staff” is defined as any adult who serves as a volunteer and/or paid person given the responsibility of working with or caring for campers at Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp.
  • “Volunteer” for purposes of security clearances is any adult responsible for the welfare of a child (acting in lieu of a parent) or having direct contact with children (providing care, supervision, guidance or control of children or having routine interaction with children).
  • “Child Abuse” is defined as verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse of a camper.
  • “Child Sexual Abuse” is defined as any sexual activity with a child—whether in the home by a caretaker, in a day care situation, a foster/residential setting, or in any other setting, including on the street by a person unknown to the child. The abuser may be an adult, an adolescent, or another child, provided the child is four years older than the victim.
  • Child Sexual Abuse may be violent or non- violent. All child sexual abuse is an exploitation of a child’s vulnerability and powerlessness in which the abuser is fully responsible for the action.
  • Child Sexual Abuse is criminal behavior that involves children in sexual behaviors for which they are not personally, socially and developmentally ready.
  • Child Sexual Abuse includes behaviors that involve touching and non-touching aspects.

Disqualified Individuals

• Whether disclosed voluntarily or by result of the security background check, the following items will automatically disqualify a volunteer from participating in the leadership, sponsorship or supervising of any activities or programs with minors:
  • Any conviction for:
    • criminal homicide; aggravated assault;
    • crimes related to the possession, use or sale of drugs or controlled substances; sexual abuse;
    • sexual assault (rape); aggravated sexual assault; injury to a child; incest;
    • indecency with a child;
    • inducing sexual conduct or sexual performance of a child; possession or
    • promotion of child pornography;
    • the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor;
    • employment harmful to children;
    • abandonment or endangerment of a child; kidnapping or unlawful restraint;
    • public lewdness or indecent exposure; enticing a child.
• The only persons approved for reviewing the results of security background checks (Volunteer Coordinator) and denying approval to an applicant are: the Camp Manager and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

Teen Staff

• Teenagers under age 18 wanting to serve as Junior Counselors or in any other capacity involving campers will be required to complete the following form which is given by the Camp Manager to Youth Leaders of the various churches:
  • Teens in Training Application
• Teenagers over the age of 18 wanting to serve as a Junior Counselor or in any other capacity involving campers will be required to complete the following forms on the Sylvan Hills Portal.
• Teens in Training Application
  • Adult Volunteer Security Clearances as stated in the Adult Staff section.

Staff Training

• Each new staff person will be given the legal definition of child abuse in writing, as well as the written policy of the camp on reporting of child abuse. New staff will also be required to view child abuse prevention video(s) and read the written materials available on this subject to help them gain an appreciation for the reality of the concern. This will help staff identify child abuse in the future if they see signs of it.
• All staff will be familiarized with and expected to comply with the following standards of conduct during camp sessions:
  • At no time will one adult be left alone with one child in a setting that prohibits visual and/or audio contact with others. While the nature of the Christian camp experience allows that there may be times that campers are desirous of private counseling from staff/ministers, all such counseling shall be carried out in a manner that allows visual contact with persons not directly participating in the counseling session (as opposed to counseling sessions held behind closed doors).
  • The Camp Manager and the Camp Dean will be responsible to supervise camp staff and activities in an on-going manner; this may include unannounced visits to class or other program sites to ensure that the camp policies are being followed.
  • Campers will not be released to leave the camp grounds without the direct knowledge and permission of the Camp Dean. Parents needing to pick up a camper themselves or arranging for someone else to pick up a camper must make these arrangements through the Camp Dean.

Specific Violations

• The following are violations of this Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy and will not be tolerated or accepted during any activity or program of Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp; any occurrences are to be immediately reported to the designated staff (see next section) after the safety of the camper has been assured.
  • Any direct observation or evidence of sexual activity in the presence of or in association with a minor.
  • Any display or demonstration of sexual activity, abuse, insinuation of abuse, or evidence of abusive conduct towards a minor.
  • Sexual advances or sexual activity of any kind between any person and a minor.
  • Infliction or physically abusive behavior or bodily injury to a minor.
  • Physical neglect of a minor, including failure to provide adequate supervision in relation to the activities of Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp.
  • Mental or emotional injury to a minor.
  • The presence, possession, or being under the influence of any illegal or illicit drugs or alcohol while leading or participating in a function for minors at Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp.

Response to Allegations

• In the event that violations are observed and/or reported, it is important to respond quickly according to a predetermined plan of action. The response plan of Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp recognizes the following:
  • All allegations need to be taken seriously.
  • Situations must be handled forthrightly with due respect for people’s privacy and confidentiality.
  • Adequate care must be shown for the well-being of the victim.
  • The victim should not be held responsible in any way.
  • Full cooperation must be given to civil authorities under the guidance of the camp attorney.
  • The camp’s insurance carrier must be contacted immediately.
• Any instances of violations of this Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy must be reported immediately to the Camp Dean. In the event the Dean is not available, the report should be made to the Camp Manager. The Dean/Manager will implement the following procedure, using the forms provided as a means of documenting all actions taken.