Keep Our Children and Youth Safe
The Safe Congregations Committee (SCC)
Role and Responsibility
The SCC responds to concerns regarding the safety and well-being of children, including potential misconduct or boundary violations. It provides essential support by documenting concerns and helping individuals navigate reporting procedures. The SCC connects families with necessary resources and ensures that the congregation fulfills its safety obligations while appropriate authorities handle any formal investigations.
Reporting a Concern
We encourage anyone who witnesses or suspects unsafe conduct to speak up immediately. Proof is not required to make a report; if a situation feels inappropriate or concerning, it warrants attention. This applies to all church activities, whether they occur in person, during transportation, or through online communication.
When in doubt, always ask.
Seeking guidance helps keep everyone safe. You should contact the SCC if you witness or experience any of the following:
1. Potential Concerns
These are situations that “just don’t feel right.” Even if a specific rule wasn’t clearly broken, you should report:
- Situations that feel uncomfortable, confusing, or inappropriate.
- Behavior that seems to push the edges of healthy boundaries.
- A need for support in clarifying how a situation should be handled.
2. Incident Reports
Events that require formal documentation for the safety of the congregation, such as:
- Minor injuries or medical needs.
- Behavioral issues or significant conflicts between participants.
- Vandalism, theft, or property damage.
3. Mandatory Reporting (Immediate Risk)
Situations involving an immediate risk of harm require urgent contact with the SCC and, where necessary, legal authorities:
- Suspected abuse or neglect.
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
- Threats of violence or possession of dangerous items.
- Drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances.
Our Shared Commitment
The SCC and church leadership handle every report with care and maintain confidentiality to the greatest extent possible. Protecting our children and youth is a collective responsibility held by every member of this community. By maintaining healthy boundaries and responding quickly to concerns, we build a community where all children can learn, participate, and thrive without fear of harm.
Confidentiality and Safety
We honor the personal stories of our youth. However, confidentiality must be expanded if there is a risk of harm to self or others. In these instances, information will be shared with Wildflower leadership and, when required by Texas law, reported to the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Defining and Understanding Harmful Behavior
The church stands firmly against any behavior that compromises the safety of a child. This includes:
Abuse: Any action or pattern of behavior resulting in physical harm, sexual exploitation, or emotional injury to a child or youth.
Neglect: Failure to provide appropriate care, supervision, protection, or basic needs.
Harassment: Unwelcome verbal, physical, or nonverbal conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or harmful environment for a child or youth.
Bullying: Repeated or intentional behavior meant to intimidate, isolate, humiliate, or harm another person, especially where there is a real or perceived imbalance of power. This includes physical, verbal, social, and cyberbullying.
Retaliation: Any adverse action taken against a person for reporting a concern, participating in an investigation, or supporting another individual in raising a safety issue. Retaliation is strictly prohibited.
Harm to Self or Others: Statements, behaviors, or actions indicating a risk of self-injury, suicide, abuse, or physical violence toward oneself or another person. All such concerns will be taken seriously and addressed promptly
Mandatory Reporting in Texas
Under Texas law, every adult—not just staff or volunteers—is a mandatory reporter. If you have cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect, you are legally required to report it. You must personally report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or law enforcement within 24 hours of first suspecting the harm. This legal duty cannot be delegated to a supervisor or the SCC.
- Texas Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400
- Online Reporting: www.txabusehotline.org