Safeguarding Our People
If you know or suspect any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call 911 immediately.
Reporting Abuse
If you or someone in your care has experienced sexual or physical abuse by a bishop, clergy person, deacon, lay leader, or volunteer, immediately make a report directly to local law enforcement or child protective services if the abuse involves a minor. After reporting the abuse to local authorities or child protective services, please notify our Safeguarding Response Team using the button below so they are aware of how to care for the persons involved and take appropriate action to respond.
Overview
The Holy Scriptures describe the Church as the Body of Christ, calling its members to live lives deeply rooted in him and to grow together in love, thanksgiving, and service to God and neighbor. To belong to Christ is to share in the new creation, a renewed humanity shaped and sustained by the Holy Spirit. The Church is called to be a community of truth and justice, mercy and reconciliation, mutual service and steadfast faithfulness. Our relationships within the Body of Christ are meant to bear witness to this reality as a sign to the world.
The Diocese of Quincy is firmly committed to addressing the realities of abuse and to confronting any inappropriate conduct by clergy, lay employees, and volunteers. We are dedicated to safeguarding all entrusted to our care, preventing harm wherever possible, and responding to survivors with speed, compassion, and integrity.
As members of Christ’s Body, we are called to walk in the light, exposing what is hidden in darkness and protecting the most vulnerable among us. We are deeply grateful for your ministry and your commitment to living in the light.
The Diocese of Quincy has established a Safeguarding Committee to support the protection of its people through prevention, response, and training. As the Canon to the Ordinary, the Very Rev. Cn. J. Michael Strachan, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Safeguarding and oversees this committee.
Prevention
The primary resource for churches in safeguarding is the Diocese of Quincy Policy for the Protection of Children and Adults. This policy is currently a working draft that will be finalized before our 2025 synod.
Included within this policy are a Policy on Human Sexuality and Building Use Policy, both of which are also working drafts.
All congregations are expected to review this policy annually and submit a Congregational Certificate of Compliance to the diocesan office before Synod. In addition, all clergy are required to submit their acknowledgment of receipt of this policy to the diocesan office.
Training
In addition to reading the Policy for the Protection of Children and Adults, all clergy, staff, and volunteers are required to pass the “Sexual Abuse Awareness Training” from MinistrySafe and complete a background check. Each congregation is also required to have a Safeguarding Supervisor, who will often be the Rector or Vicar. To complete this training and submit your background check, please speak to your congregation’s Safeguarding Supervisor.
Response
The Safeguarding Committee provides a Crisis Response Team to support congregations and the diocese in addressing potential crises. In addition, the committee provides a Survivor Advocate to support those who have been harmed, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns taken seriously. Each congregation is required to ensure that information on how to report misconduct is readily available to its members.
The Diocese of Quincy takes all complaints and allegations of misconduct extremely seriously. We are committed to providing external responders to receive reports of misconduct involving clergy or diocesan employees. If you have been harmed by a member of the clergy or an employee within our diocese, please report the misconduct by emailing our Safeguarding Response Team at misconduct@dioceseofquincy.org.
These emails are sent to our two intake officers, who will consider how to care for the individuals involved and take appropriate action in response. When necessary, external and transparent investigations will be conducted to ensure accountability and care.
Misconduct by a Bishop
If you have a misconduct claim against a bishop, please submit a bishop misconduct form to the province. You can also email misconduct@acna.org if you have any questions or concerns. A provincial representative will respond as soon as possible.
Seguimos el llamado de Jesús de ir y hacer discípulos de todos los pueblos, ya sea al otro lado de la calle o al otro lado de las fronteras internacionales
