The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
Policy and Definition of Sexual Misconduct in Youth Ministry situations.
Policy
  The policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio is that sexual misconduct involving pastoral care by any member of the clergy, staff person, or volunteer, will not be tolerated. Clergy and other Christian workers need to recognize the dynamics of their relationships and the potential for harm and abuse. Vulnerabilities are exposed, and the very strengths of these relationships, i.e., the expression of care and love, can easily take on inappropriate forms.

Definition
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio defines sexual misconduct as follows:

Abuse   Sexual abuse or sexual molestation of any person, including but not limited to, any sexual involvement or sexual contact with a person who is a minor or who is legally incompetant; or
Harassment   Sexual harassment in a situation where there is an employment, mentor, or colleague relationship between the persons involved, including but not limited to, sexually-oriented humor or language, questions or comments about sexual behavior or preference unrelated to employment qualifications; undesired physical contact; inappropriate comments about clothing or physical appearance; or repeated requests for social engagements; or
Exploitation   Sexual exploitation, including but not limited to, the development of or the attempt to develop a sexual relationship between a cleric, employee, or volunteer and a person with whom s/he has a pastoral and/or fiduciary relationship, whether or not there is apparent consent from the individual.
Pastoral relationship means: A relationship between a cleric, employee, or volunteer and any person to whom such cleric, employee, or volunteer provides pastoral counseling, pastoral care, spiritual direction, or spiritual guidance or from whom such cleric, employee, or volunteer has received confession or confidential or privileged information.

Steps to take to protect yourself, your students, and the program:

1. Attend a sexual misconduct prevention training offered by the diocese contact Geri McDaniel or call Diocesan House 800-582-1712 for the next available training. THIS IS MANDATORY OF ALL PERSONS WORKING WITH YOUTH IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Please do it.
2. Some form of background check, either through local law enforcement, or by contacting references collected from the person. References must not be church or family oriented.
3. Keep journals of adult volunteers - when they've trained, background check info, suspicious behavior. Name, dates, and detailed event circumstances are a plsu.

Guidelines:
1.Avoid the appearanceof impropriety. If it even looks suspicious, then it is.
2. Line of Sight rule. Although there are time when a one on one conversation is needed, ALWAYS make sure that you are within the line of sight with another adult, and never allow yourself to be in a completely private situation.
3. Positioning. Never let your back face any room situation, be constantly aware of your position in relation to your youth. Don't turn your back on them.
4. Supervision. Maintain a ratio of 1 adult for every 4 students for overnight trips/events. For daytime events or youth group meetings, maintain a ratio of 1 adult for every 5-6 students. Adults should be split evenly between the sexes.
5. Never operate alone. Always have another adult present. Minimum for any event is two adults, even if there is less than 5 students.
6. Overnight accomodations. Adults may not sleep in the same space as students.
7. Bathrooms. Adults may not use the same bathrooms as students at the same time. Either find another set of bathrooms, or designate times for adults and students to use facilities.
8. Driving. Students with parental written permission may drive themselves to events. Keys will be taken upon arrival. Adults under the age of 21 may not drive minors without adult written permission. Another adult must accompany driver at all times.
9. Definition of Adult. Any person 18 years old or older is considered an adult by the state, with the same repercussions as older adults. These persons MUST have sexual misconduct prevention and background work to be considered for participation in any event.
10. Liability waivers. All students under the age 18 MUST have signed liability and non negotiable contract. Unless otherwise stated, this contract ONLY pertains to the event in question. For liability form example, contact office of youth ministry or Roger Speer.

Guidelines for investigating an abuse case:
1. Interview student involved, be gentle and caring, and gain as much detail as possible. Write it down, date it.
2. Report to Children's Protective services if: a) Student is in danger. b) Student may case another person danger. c) Student is endangering themselves.
3. Do not take another staff person's word for it! Talk with student involved yourself.
Guidelines for investigating a misconduct case:
1. Interview student involved, be gentle and caring, and gain as much detail as possible. Write it down, date it.
2. Interview adult(s) involved. Detail everything. Write down or record conversation. This is a fact finding excercise ONLY. Do not make judgements, do not draw conclusions, do not assume.
3. Call Rector of Student's home church for legal options specific to student's home county. In diocesan situations, contact chancellor or Executive staff member for all options for course of action. Write it down and date it with notes.
4. Call student's parent/guardian. Explain the situation to them, including student's interview and adult's interview. Discuss options for further involvement including legal action, counseling, disciplinary measures. Your job is to serve them once they've made a decision on how you are to move with this situation. Do not convince them one way or another how to act.
5. Report to supervisor on research, interviews, and conversation with parents. Discuss the process to this point to ensure you have not missed or assumed any part of it. Discuss measures to communicate situation to adult involved.
6. Make appropriate phone calls to legal counselors, Children's Protective services, etc.
7. Check in with student and parents regularly to support and help. Rely on local clergy for counseling support and networking with medical professionals. Do not attempt this on your own, even if you are a licensed counselor, doctor, etc.
8. Send a copy of all documentation to your parish office for filing, parish office of student involved for filing, and diocesan youth ministry office for filing. Keep a copy for yourself.