Since 1995, the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota has taken a proactive stance in the prevention of child sexual abuse and sexual harassment, by instituting mandatory Safe Church training for all ordained clergy, all lay employees and leaders, and all who work in churches with children, youth, and vulnerable adults – whether paid or volunteer.
Safe Church is about our covenant relationships, with God and with one another. It is about providing a healthy, safe environment for all of God’s children. Safe Church implies a faith community that takes seriously its promise to do all in our power to support one another in our life in Christ. It is about all of us being aware of potentially compromising situations, daring to address them in healthy ways before they become problems, and living together in ways that prevent abuse from happening.
All teachers and helpers in St. Anne’s children’s ministries are Safe Church trained. To read the Safe Church policy, go to http://www.episcopalmn.org/safechurch_policy2005.pdf