Protecting Today's Child!  

          In today's society child abuse and child abuse accusations are occurring daily.   Therefore, it is important that Child Evangelism Fellowship take steps to protect the children to whom we minister and protect our workers from false accusations.

          The Board of Trustees for Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. has adopted the following policy regarding child abuse and the protection of our children:   ((Child abuse is defined as any verbal or sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or serious physical injury which is not explained by the available medical history as being accidental.))

          In order to protect the child from abuse and our workers from false accusations, every reasonable effort should be made to take the following steps:

1. All workers (paid and volunteer) should be adequately screened by interview prior to work or contact with minors in CEF ministries.
   
   
2. All paid workers should be trained in the Child Abuse Policies by way of a video presentation approved by the CEF-USA ministries department.
   
   
3. All workers (paid or volunteer) should read, understand and sign a statement agreeing to follow the policies and procedures concerning child abuse protection.
   
   
4. Two CEF workers (paid or volunteer) should be present at any overnight CEF activity or ministry setting that would be considered a high isolation situation.
   
   
5. All rooms used by adults and minors together should be accessible (no locked doors) and have open visibilty (a window in the door or the door left wide open).

6. Supervisory personnel should make random visits to CEF-sponsored activities.
   
   
7. Overnight activities sponsored by CEF involving minors should be approved by the local or state director and the local committee or state board.
   
   
8. All suspicious or inappropriate behavior between a CEF worker and a minor should be reported to supervisory staff and investigated immediately.
   
   
9. When anyone who is employed by Child Evangelism Fellowship has reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused by a CEF employee, or is himself accused, or someone whose action would reflect on CEF is accused, the following action should be taken:
   
         CEF-USA must be called (1-800-300-4033) within
         24 hours of time of incident.   Notify the next
         higher office that this step has been taken.