How Can We Help?
Safeguarding
Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People are two trainings offered by the Episcopal Church to raise awareness, provide prevention tools, and protect our community from suffering abusive relationships. All members are encouraged to take these trainings, but for some positions they are a requirement.
Once completing the training, a participant is certified. Certifications are good for 4 years and then must be renewed. Don’t forget to report your completion of the videos to get certified.
Safeguarding God’s Children (SGC)
SGC focuses on protecting children and youth. It is a required training of all Church leaders (i.e. Bishop’s Council, et al.), staff, clergy, all volunteers working with children or youth, and and anyone who has a key to the church campus gates, building, and/or offices. In addition, background checks are required of all staff, clergy, and volunteers working with youth and children.
Safeguarding God’s People (SGP)
SGP focuses on proper and safe relationships between adults in the Church, especially when there is a power differential involved (i.e. teacher to student, clergy to congregant, etc.). It raises awareness about abuse, provides tools for prevention of abuse, and establishes policy. SGP is required of all clergy, staff, church leaders (i.e. Bishop’s Council, et al.), Eucharistic Visitors, and anyone who has a key to the church campus gates, building, and/or offices.
Info About In-person Training.
Click Here For Virtual/Online Training*
Get your certificate by reporting your completion. (Click here)
Info about Background Checks at St. Christopher’s
NOTE!: There are multiple videos available for online training.
SGC requires two videos only, “Meet Sam” and “It Happened to Me.”
SGP requires two videos only,
“Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Exploitation in Communities of Faith – For Ministries” and
“Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Exploitation in Communities of Faith – for Congregations”.
Staff/employees, please take the two additional Safeguarding God’s People Videos also.
Who’s required to do what?
| Who | SG Children | SG People | Background Check |
| Church Member | Encouraged (not required) | Encouraged (not required) | Not required |
| Clergy | Required | Required | Required |
| Staff | Required | Required | Required |
| Bishop’s Council | Required | Required | Not Required |
| Youth/Children’s Volunteers | Required | Encouraged (not required) | Required |
| Person w/ Church keys | Required | Required | Not Required |
| Eucharistic Visitor | Encouraged (not required) | Required | Required |
