Creating Safer Communities
Adult Volunteer & Staff Training Schedule
Sunday, September 20 * Dining Room
12:00 p.m. – Lunch (catered by Moe’s Southwest Grill) – Free for all participants
12:30 p.m. — Lunch & Training: Creating Safer Communities
A practical, trauma-informed conversation about preventing and responding to abuse in churches, communities, and families. The training will approach this difficult subject from a hopeful perspective, focusing on practical steps we can take to prevent harm and create safer communities. Open to church leaders, teachers, volunteers, parents, and anyone interested in creating safer communities for children, youth, and adults with special needs.
Topics will include:
-The prevalence of abuse and why churches need to talk about it
-Common dynamics and manipulations associated with abuse
-Strategies for preventing abuse in church settings
-Safety strategies for children and families at home
-Information about reporting abuse
-How churches can respond when a known sexual offender—or someone arrested or credibly accused of a sexual offense—wants to participate in church life
-Practical case examples to help participants think through real-life situations
2:30–4:00 p.m. — Church Leadership Training: Going Deeper
This additional session is designed specifically for church staff and leaders who want to go deeper into prevention and response.
Topics will include:
-Abuse dynamics in greater depth
-Policies and prevention practices
-Responding to known offenders and individuals who have been arrested or credibly accused
-Practical considerations for creating safer church environments
-Additional case examples and opportunities for discussion