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The International Churches of Nice and Saint Paul de Vence

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Child Protection Policy

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International Bible Church of Saint Paul de Vence Child Protection Policy (Aligned with French Law)

The International Bible Church of St. Paul (IBC) is committed to assisting parents in the spiritual growth and development of children, ensuring their safety and well-being in compliance with French child protection laws. We believe that children are created in the image of God and deserve an environment that is both nurturing and secure. The following policy outlines procedures and expectations for protecting children and volunteers, in alignment with French legal standards.

 Volunteer Application Process

 To safeguard children, IBC mandates the following process for volunteers working with children or youth:

  1. Policy Acknowledgment: Volunteers must read and sign the Children’s Protection Policy and complete a Volunteer Application form.
  2. Background Checks: Volunteers are subject to background checks, adhering to French data protection laws (Loi Informatique et Libertés) and GDPR regulations.
  3. References: All applicants must provide at least two references.
  4. Eligibility: IBC will not permit individuals disqualified from working with children or vulnerable adults to volunteer.
  5. Interviews: Volunteers must participate in an interview conducted by the Children’s or Youth Director, or the pastor.
  6. Authorization: Authorization for volunteers serving children and youth is at the sole discretion of the church’s Leadership Team. While reasons for rejection are not required to be provided, all decisions will be made based on objective criteria. Records of application outcomes will be maintained to ensure transparency and adherence to fair practices.

Record-Keeping Compliance: Records related to volunteer applications, background checks, and decisions will be kept in compliance with GDPR and Loi Informatique et Libertés. These records will be stored securely, accessible only to authorized personnel, and retained only for as long as necessary for their intended purpose.

 Child Abuse and Reporting

IBC enforces a zero-tolerance policy for any form of child abuse or neglect, as defined by French law (Code PénalArticles 222-24 to 222-31 for sexual abuse and 227-15 for neglect). It is prohibited for any volunteer or staff member to engage in behavior that constitutes physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

Prohibited Actions Include:

  • Inflicting bodily harm or engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior.
  • Physical neglect, such as inadequate safety, supervision, or care.
  • Emotional mistreatment, including verbal abuse or degrading comments.

Mandatory Reporting: Volunteers must immediately report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect to their Ministry Director and the Pastor. Reports should be documented and submitted to the local child protection authority (Protection de l’Enfance) or police (gendarmerie) as per Article 434-3 of the Code Pénal. Immediate action will be taken to ensure the child’s safety.

Documentation Requirements:

Details to include in reports:

  • Name, age, and address of the child.
  • Name and contact details of the volunteer.
  • Description of the incident.
  • Any visible injuries or behavioral issues.
  • Names of parents or guardians and siblings.
  • Name of the alleged perpetrator.

Volunteer/Child Protection Protocols

IBC upholds the following safety protocols, with distinctions made for children (under 12) and teens (12 to 18):

  1. Two-Adult Rule: At least two volunteers must be present during all activities involving minors. For children under 12, at least one volunteer should preferably be female. For teens, the rule remains, but flexibility may be applied based on the nature of the activity.
  2. Restroom Assistance: Assistance is only provided, if necessary, with the door kept ajar. This applies mainly to younger children and babies. Teens are expected to manage restroom use independently unless specific help is requested.  If assistance is required, including changing of diapers/nappies, a female volunteer should assist while any male volunteer(s) should remain to supervise the other children. 
  3. Parental Assistance: Parents may assist their own children as needed.
  4. Appropriate Physical Contact:   IBC recognizes that appropriate touch is part of a positive, nurturing environment in a healthy children’s or student ministry. The following guidelines can be used by volunteers, who must exercise good judgment, to help discern what appropriate touch includes:
    • For Children (under 12):
      • Permissible interactions include:
        • An arm around the shoulder.
        • Short congratulatory hugs.
        • Pats on the back or shoulder.
        • Handshakes, high-fives, and knuckles.
      • Prohibited actions include:
        • Touching in anger or disgust.
        • Touch that can be perceived as sexually suggestive.
        • Any touch between the navel and knee or under clothing.
        • Carrying children over five years old or giving piggy-back rides.
    • For Teens (12 to 18):
      • Permissible interactions include:
        • An arm around the shoulder.
        • Short congratulatory hugs.
        • Pats on the back or shoulder.
        • Handshakes, high-fives, and knuckles.
      • Prohibited actions include:
        • Any touch that could be construed as sexually suggestive.
        • Any touch between the navel and knee or under clothing.
        • Touching in anger or with inappropriate force.
  6. Respect for Boundaries: Physical contact should not be forced. A minor’s preference not to be touched must be respected, except in cases where restraint is necessary for safety.
  7. Verbal Interactions: All communication must be positive and encouraging. Harsh, threatening, or demeaning language, including swearing, is strictly prohibited.
  8. Visibility: Activities should occur in locations visible to others. Closed doors without visibility to the outside are prohibited.

Parental Supervision: Outside of structured programs, parents are responsible for supervising their children.  This is to ensure the protection of the youth, the solemnity of the worship service and the public that share and move about our building.  As a tenant, IBC must respect and enforce the common rules as established by the property management.

  1. Children/teens are not permitted to run anywhere inside the church building or in the public areas, including patios, stairs, or the parking garage.
  2. During the worship service, children/teens are to remain with their parents, or with their appropriate group after being dismissed from the service, to join Sunday school.
  3. Children/teens are not permitted to linger in the entryway, corridors, empty classrooms, or outside the church in the public areas.
  4. No child or teen may leave the church premises (sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen, adjacent terrace – within the delimited gates) without a parent. This includes the stairs leading to the parking garage and other levels.
  5. It is not permissible, unless specifically authorized for such an event by the church (ie: Kid’s Camp), on the church premises or the public areas surrounding it for children to play soccer (football) or other similar games.
  6. Failure to adhere to this will result in child/teen being returned to his/her parents in the sanctuary for the duration of the service.
  7. Repeated disobedience may result in additional disciplinary sanctions, which shall be at the sole discretion of the IBC Leadership Team.

Security Protocols

  1. Authorized Release: Children may only be released to the individuals who brought them or those specifically authorized in writing.
  2. Controlled Access: Only parents, registered volunteers, and church staff may enter child activity areas. Unidentified adults must be questioned, and suspicious individuals reported to staff.

Policy Review and Questions

IBC will regularly review this policy to ensure compliance with current French legal standards.

For questions or further information, please contact the pastor or a member of the Leadership Team.

A copy of this policy is available at:  https://ibcfrance.org/child-protection.

By signing below, I agree to the terms and conditions herein described, including the background checks, and personally covenant to abide by them.  Should I fail to respect these terms, I agree to indemnify and hold IBC Saint Paul harmless for any of my actions.

 

_______________________________________ Signature

 

_______________________________________ Printed Name

 

_______________________________________ Date