The Presbyterian Church in Canada aspires to be and is dedicated to creating a safe church environment, free from harm and harassment. Building a safe church involves preventing and responding to harm through policies, training, police record checks, transparency, clear reporting, and investigation procedures for misconduct, and offering pathways to justice, redress, and healing when harm occurs.
“Safe Church” is the name of a new section on the PCC’s website. Clicking on “Safe Church” in the top menu across all web pages of the PCC website will lead to information about the church’s safety policies. Here, you will find details on how to raise concerns about bullying, sexual harassment, and harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, skin colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, ancestry, disability, and more.
It is the policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that all individuals, especially children, youth, and vulnerable adults, who take part in the denomination’s programs, ministries, or use its facilities, will be cared for with Christian compassion and kept safe. The procedures for creating a safe environment among people and in places where the church gathers are outlined in the Leading with Care policy. Most church bodies must review this policy at least once a year.
It is also the policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and harassment of any kind by church leaders, staff, or volunteers will not be tolerated. All complaints will be taken seriously and handled in accordance with the denomination’s policy. Best practice encourages Sessions, presbyteries, denominational committees, and the boards of ministries, camps, and colleges to review harassment policies annually. Notably, the Policy and Procedures for Addressing Harassment and Workplace Violence in the Church must be reviewed by all denominational courts, boards, and committees every year.
Staff at the denomination’s offices regularly and enthusiastically provide guidance on policy implementation and interpretation, along with training sessions and webinars.
The Safe Church section on the PCC website will expand over the next few months to help people learn about the church’s policies and how to raise concerns. Please visit the web page for contact details to ask questions, request information, or suggest features to improve this new service. Visit presbyterian.ca/safe-church to access the Safe Church information.