The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, and Safeguarding presented its Report #5 on Resolution A065 (Translation and Adaption of Safe Church Training for Speakers of Spanish, Creole and French) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A065)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 80th General Convention direct the Executive Council to establish a Task Force pursuant to Canon I.1.2.o to create and implement Spanish, Creole and French language Safe Church training materials to be developed during the next triennium to reflect the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, such committee to be comprised of twelve (12) people who reflect the diversity of The Episcopal Church, which should include youth ministers, those working with vulnerable adults, educators for adults, at least eight (8) native speakers of Creole, French and Spanish from several regions and those experienced in the prevention of sexual abuse; membership should also include at least three (3) persons from the Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies & Safe Church Training appointed in 2018; and be it further

Resolved, That such new training materials be based on the Safe Church training developed in the 2018-2020 triennium by Praesidium, Inc., and that the new multi-lingual training be adapted to the variety of cultures in The Episcopal Church, in use of language, images, metaphors, examples, and the like; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church Pension Group be asked to collaborate and coordinate their training program with this effort and to appoint a member to serve on the task force; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commits itself to the financial support of the creation, implementation and maintenance of such safe church training materials to advance clergy wellness and reduce liability; and be it further

Resolved, That $300,000 be budgeted for the creation of the French, Creole and Spanish Safe Church training materials described in this resolution and $50,000 for the work of the Task Force.

Committee Amendment:

That the 80th General Convention direct the Executive Council to establish a Task Force pursuant to Canon I.1.2.o to create and implement Spanish, Creole, and French language Safe Church training materials, with captioning, that reflect the cultural context and meet the needs of the people that the training is intended to serve. These Safe Church training materials are to be developed during the next triennium to reflect the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, such committee to be comprised of twelve (12) people who reflect the diversity of The Episcopal Church, which should include youth ministers, those working with vulnerable adults, educators for adults, at least eight (8) native speakers of Creole, French, and Spanish from several regions and those experienced in the prevention of sexual abuse; membership should also include at least three (3) persons from the Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies & Safe Church Training appointed in 2018; and be it further

Resolved, That such new training materials be based on the Safe Church training developed in the 2018-2020 triennium by Praesidium, Inc., in collaboration with the Formation Department. The Task force should work in consultation with the Safe Church Office in the Formation Department in the creation of  and that the new multi-lingual training to be adapted to and rooted in the variety of cultures in The Episcopal Church, in use of language, images, metaphors, examples, and the like. Additionally, the Task Force and Safe Church Office should create a roadmap for the inclusion of captioning in Safe Church materials in other languages spoken in The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Safe Church Office in the formation Department be directed to engage a consultant to develop the sign language and captioning with Praesidium in the Safe Church modules; Church Pension Group be asked to collaborate and coordinate their training program with this effort and to appoint a member to serve on the task force; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commits itself to the financial support of the creation, implementation and maintenance of such safe church training materials to advance clergy and lay leader wellbeing wellness and, as well as to reduce liability; and be it further

Resolved, That $350,000 $300,000 be budgeted for the creation of the French, Creole, and Spanish, sign language and captioning of Safe Church training materials described in this resolution and $50,000 for the work of the Task Force.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #145)