The following policy guidelines were developed using UUA-approved resources, especially the document “Balancing Acts: Keeping Children Safe in Our Congregations” by Reverend Debra W. Haffner. Some of these guidelines focus specifically on individuals that have been convicted of offenses against children. Each individual circumstance should be examined carefully, and guidelines followed, recognizing that some individuals may have convictions that strictly involve adults.
Our Unitarian Universalist first principle encourages us to affirm and promote the inherent and worth dignity of every person. In many ways, the person with a history of sex offenses has the same needs for a faith community as the rest of us. But the sex offender needs more than a faith community to assure that his or her involvement doesn’t pose risks to the congregation and that standards are in place for protection against false allegations and suspicions.
A key component of a commitment to keep our children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe in our congregation, therefore, is developing policies and procedures to use when a person who is known pedophile or sex offender wants to be part of the congregation or an existing member is accused of a sexual offense.
The following steps and precautions will be followed. Not only is this a means to protect Northwest’s children, youth and vulnerable adults, but we must assure that the convicted sex offender does not have the opportunity in our congregation to re-offend again. This includes avoiding situations where they can be accused falsely.
No person who has been convicted of, or with an unresolved accusation of, any sexual misconduct involving children can be permitted to be involved in any religious education or youth group activities. For sex offenders whose offense involved other adults, participation in adult activities will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Our message to the child sex offender is that they are both welcome to participate in adult worship, adult social, and adult educational activities and that they must covenant with the congregation to avoid all contact with children through a Limited Access Agreement.
This agreement invites the person with a history of sex offenses to participate in certain aspects of congregational life, setting clear boundaries including what the individual will or will not do. For example, it denies the person access to keys to the building. It requires the sex offender to avoid being on the property.
As a UU congregation, Northwest strives to be an inclusive community, affirming our differences in beliefs, opinions, and life experiences. However, concern for the safety and well-being of the congregation as a whole must be given priority over the privileges and inclusion of the individual.
No matter how the situation is revealed, the Minister as quickly as possible should meet confidentially with the individual to discuss the concerns that have been raised.
A Response Team should be formed to discuss and advise.
The individual should be asked to sign a release form so that the Minister can contact his/her sex offender treatment provider and/or current therapist. The therapist and, if applicable, the parole officer should be asked for their professional assessment of the likelihood that the sex offender will re-offend, and whether additional restrictions beyond the standard Limited Access Agreement ought to be placed on the person’s participation.
The question the Response Team must be able to answer is this: given what professionals have advised you, will this person comply with a Limited Access Agreement that they can maintain with the leadership in order to assure the safety of children, youth, and other congregants?
If the assessment indicates that the person has completed or is participating successfully in treatment and is not at high risk for recidivism, the Response Team will develop a Limited Access Agreement. A sample Limited Access Agreement is available below which can be tailored to the situation. If the professional assessment indicates that the person is at high risk for re-offending, it is appropriate to deny that person involvement in the faith community until treatment is successful at reducing the risk.
All persons with past histories of sexual offenses should be asked to sign an annual Limited Access Agreement or other similar document. If the offender refuses to do so, it is then appropriate to deny the person access to congregation functions and property. Offenders who refuse to sign a Limited Access Agreement should know that if they enter the congregation or its property, they will be asked to leave by a member of the Response Team or the Board of Trustees. If they refuse, the local police will be called for assistance.
The Minister and the President of the Board will meet at least quarterly with any individual with whom it has a Limited Access Agreement to review the arrangement and address any concerns. Copies of files including Limited Access Agreement information should be treated with care, and kept in a secure file drawer.
The Minister, the DRE, the Chair of the Board and the Response Team need to know the exact parameters of the Limited Access Agreement, that the person is attending the congregation, that he or she has agreed not to have contact with children, has signed a Limited Access Agreement or other document, and that he or she should never be alone with children and adolescents.
An individual who previously was excluded from congregational activities based on their refusal to comply may request to return to the congregation. Once an individual decides that they can comply with these conditions, the process begins again to reassess the individual and see if they can be welcomed into the life of the congregation anew.