#671- Child Sexual Abuse

PURPOSE: The motive for this policy is to take a proactive stance toward the protection of MAF children, as well as the children of families with whom we minister, and the families with children to whom we minister. It also outlines guidelines for dealing with sexual perpetrators among the membership. We have both a moral and legal responsibility to report incidents of suspected or observed child abuse to designated authorities.

POLICY: Our policy is zero tolerance for any sexual abuse of a child. MAF will not knowingly accept into membership anyone with a history or record of confessed or proven child sexual abuse. Also, no one who confesses to or is proven to have sexually abused a child, will be returned to field service whether the offense was committed during his/her time in MAF or previous to that. Anyone who comes into the organization intending to fill a prominent role with children must undergo a thorough background search.

SCOPE: This policy applies to all MAF-US Board, Career Staff, Staff on-loan, Short-term Associates, Associate staff, International Associates, and Volunteers. This zero tolerance policy will be communicated to all members. All future candidates will be informed of the policy before acceptance. see note

GUIDELINES:

Purpose:
The purpose of MAF’s sexual abuse policy is to protect our children and create a safe environment, to the degree possible.
Definition:
Sexual abuse includes intercourse, oral and anal sex (forcible or non-forcible), masturbation of the child or the child masturbating the abuser. It includes touching and looking at the child’s genitals, touching or looking at the abuser’s genitals, watching pornographic movies with a child, or looking at pornographic photos with the child, having children pose, undress, or perform in a sexual fashion or watching children in bathrooms or while they undress. It includes the abuser talking about what he or she would like to do with the child sexually. Sexual abuse also includes fondling of a child, clothed or unclothed.
Consequences:
Immediate termination will result at the time an individual has been proven guilty of child sexual abuse. The abuse will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Procedures:
1. Immediate Response:
  1. Upon the receipt of a written charge of sexual abuse, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) together with field leadership will take necessary steps to prevent the accused from exposure to all potential victims.
  2. The safety of the alleged victim and removing that child from danger is an immediate priority.
2. Investigation:
  1. The accused shall be notified in person and in writing of the charge that has been made and that an investigation is being conducted.
  2. The Director of Personnel will initiate and implement an Investigating Committee.
  3. The Investigating Committee will take all necessary actions to either substantiate or dismiss the charge. This includes interviewing the accused. It may include travel to or recalling individuals from the field. Expert advice may be sought from outside resources.
  4. If the charge is substantiated, the Investigating Committee will report the facts to the Director of Personnel who will initiate dismissal procedure.
  5. The CEO will be kept informed throughout the investigative process.

Addendum: Rationale for a Zero Tolerance Policy of Child Sexual Abuse
We believe MAF should be a safe organization that promotes a healthy environment for children and families, at least to the degree that we can ensure such safety. The legal risks we would be taking without a zero tolerance policy are unthinkable. Such risk is irresponsible.

Because there has been child sexual abuse in our mission history, we must be especially prudent regarding this issue. Zero tolerance does not mean that MAF considers such an offense unpardonable. Jesus’ atonement covers all sin. God’s grace extends to every sinner, including one who violates the body and soul of a child or adolescent. Because the Lord forgives, we too must forgive.

There are other types of moral failures, but for several reasons, the sexual abuse of a child is different than most offenses. It is a severe offense against minors with lifelong consequences for them. This is a great concern borne from our experience with the shame, heartache and emotional fallout that rages in each victim’s soul. The recidivism and embedded nature of this sexual preference, the difficulty involved in tracking such a person, in establishing adequate safeguards and accountability for the community where such a person would live and work, and the risk to the mission should we knowingly bring him into membership are issues too sober to either minimize or dismiss. If you followed the scandal and consequences that resulted from disclosures of victims abused by the Roman Catholic clergy, you are aware of the cost of litigation, the human pain of both victims and perpetrators, as well as the shameful disclosure and dishonor to God in the name of religion.

We are not contending that such a person cannot serve the Lord or have a fruitful ministry; nor are we saying that he is condemned to act on his preferences given the right environment, or implying that such a person is beyond God's grace, love, and forgiveness. We are simply taking the stand that to serve with MAF, child sexual abuse--past, present or future--is not an option. For us, it is a consequence of such abuse, not unforgiveness. We would much rather take every precaution to see that a brother does not fall into sin than to place him in a precarious situation of high stress, high temptation, and great loneliness.

In this life, God’s mercy does not eradicate the damage of sin, however, He does soothe our soul and give us hope that both purifies us now and sets us free. Meanwhile, we long for and anticipate the day when all damage to the human soul will be healed forever and the full work of forgiveness is complete. We wish the stringency of this legislative policy regarding child sexual abuse were not necessary. We appreciate MAF’s courage and integrity truly respecting the careful reasoning behind the policy. In a culture of temptation in an admittedly highly sexual society, this policy is a safeguard MAF maintains in an effort not only to live lives of moral integrity but to protect the innocent, vulnerable children God has entrusted to us and to those we serve.

This policy is intended for MAF staff, not for staff children. However MAF holds parents accountable for a child who chooses predatory behavior. While MAF cannot discipline staff children, we will require that parents address the behavior. We will assist parents as appropriate. Back to Scope

Close Window