Helpful Links and Information
- Missouri Mandated Reporting Laws
Anyone can report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline. - Responding to Concerns:
Information on responding to concerns within your ministry context may be found on page 19 of the Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth and on page 15 of the Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.- “Title IV” of the Episcopal Church Canons details the grounds and process for ecclesiastical discipline. It is a church-wide structure to address claims that Bishops, Priests, or Deacons may have engaged in conduct constituting an offense under the Canons. It encourages accountability, justice, reconciliation, restoration and pastoral responses.
- The Diocese of Missouri has a Disciplinary Board to help in cases where clergy have been presented with charges under the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Canons (Title IV) of the Canons of The Episcopal Church.
- If you are ever in doubt about who to contact, please reach out to the Safe Church, Safe Communities Coordinators, Jillian Smith or the Rev. Erin Pickersgill, in the Diocesan Offices.
- We investigate any charges against a member of the clergy immediately upon receiving that charge.
- Background checks:
For information regarding background checks, please contact Rita Benson in the Diocesan Offices. Background checks are required for the following:- All clergy
- All employees
- All volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults
- Social Media:
Guidelines for social media and youth may be found on page 25 (Appendix B) of the Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth and page 20 (Appendix B) of the Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. - Examples of release forms for trips and events, photo releases, will be forthcoming.