Safeguarding Policy

Approved on June 19, 2022; amended June 25, 2023

“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:5–7 NRSV

Sierra-Cascades has made the decision that a robust plan for the protection of children is a bottom-line for us, something that must be in place in every Sierra-Cascades community, for the safety and health of all. We are choosing to share resources with one another to ease the burdens of time, money, infrastructure and training on local Meetings.

We are committing to a covenant of mutual accountability within our shared body, which we believe will better protect all of us. It is only within the past few decades that the full truth about the epidemic of child sexual abuse has come to light– first outside, and then also within the Religious Society of Friends. Within this time period, the public has come to awareness about things that were once hidden from public view.

We hopefully await a world free of violence, enacting the following policy.

This policy provides the framework for best practices in prevention, as well as the legal and ethical responsibilities of our staff, volunteers, board and others working with children to respond appropriately to any suspected or disclosed abuse of a child or youth. The practices described in this policy are for the protection of the children and youth we serve, and for the dedicated staff and volunteers who make our programs possible.