At Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church, we recognize the sensitive and emotional nature of abuse and are committed to creating a safe environment for all members and guests. Despite our gratitude for our dedicated staff and volunteers, we acknowledge that no community is immune to the realities of abuse. Guided by the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Synod’s call for proactive safety measures, our Council has established a Safe Church Policy and appointed a Safe Church Coordinator to oversee and support our efforts. This policy is divided into two main components: Abuse Prevention Procedures, which outline steps to prevent abuse and protect staff from false allegations, and Responding to Allegations of Abuse, which details our response plan should an accusation arise.

Abuse, whether physical, sexual, or emotional, is a pervasive issue in society and, regrettably, within church settings as well. Statistics indicate that while the majority of child abuse occurs outside of church contexts, a notable percentage still happens within them. Churches must therefore adopt thorough prevention strategies to protect children and uphold the integrity of the ministry. Our policy includes rigorous background checks for volunteers, guidelines for safe interactions with children, and procedures for responding to allegations. By adhering to these measures and fostering awareness and education within our congregation, Beckwith Hills CRC strives to be a safe and welcoming place for all, reflecting our biblical mandate to seek justice and protect the vulnerable.