Safeguarding All

Our congregation believes every person has value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. This implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. Each year, our Church leadership re-commits that:

• We accept and endorse the principles set out in “Safeguarding in the Diocese of Virginia.”

• We have adopted the Diocesan Policy Manual: Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention and Response as the Wicomico Parish Church policy for the protection of Children and youth.

• We commit ourselves to nurture, protect and safeguard all our members, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

• We recognize that safeguarding is the responsibility of the whole church community.

• We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training, and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of background checks and making appropriate referrals to the relevant authorities.

• We will respond without delay to concerns or allegations that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and social services in any investigation.

• We will challenge any abuse of power by anyone in a position of trust.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support to anyone who has suffered abuse.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have committed an offense against a child, young person, or vulnerable adult.

Copies of the Parish’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy and Safeguarding Adults at Risk policy are held by: The Very Reverend William Stafford-Whittaker (Rector), as well as the Church Safety Officers.