Resources to help local churches understand the need for Safe Sanctuaries policies and procedures for individuals in ministries with children, youth and vulnerable adults and help in drafting their own local church policies and procedures on sexual misconduct. Let us help your church create and implement Safe Sancuaries policies.

Dakotas Conference Resources

• DK UMC Safer Sanctuary Policy Creation-Updating Infromation
• DK Camps Social Media and Communications Guidelines - EXAMPLE

• 2024 Annual Conference Lunch-n-Learn Handout

• Watch 2024 Training Overview video, recorded at Annual Conference

United Methodist Resources

• Discipleship Ministries Safer Sanctuaries page

• Safer Sanctuaries - SAMPLE POLICY – Large Membership Congregation (pdf)

• Safer Sanctuaries - SAMPLE POLICY -  Small Membership Congregtion (pdf)

Other helpful websites include

• National Sex Offender Database: Search sex offender registries for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Indian Country.

• Families Flourish North Dakota: North Dakota Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America

• South Dakota Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Books

1. Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities—This new resource, Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities, ©2023, builds on the strong foundation of past efforts while preparing churches for the work of the future. 
2.  Safe Sanctuaries - Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth – Joy Melton; Discipleship Resources; 2008.

2. Safe Sanctuaries for Ministers – Best Practices and Ethical Decisions  - Joy Melton; Discipleship Resources; 2009.
3. Safe Sanctuaries – The Church Responds to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Older Adults – Joy Melton; Discipleship Resources; 2012.
4. Preventing Sexual Abuse in Congregations – A Resource for Leaders – Karen McClintock; The Alban Institute; 2004.

5. Safe Sanctuaries in a Virtual World - Joy Melton and Michelle Foster; Discipleship Resources; 2014

6. Healthy Disclosure – Solving Communication Quandaries in Congregations - Karen McClintock and Kibbie Ruth; The Alban Institute; 2007