Safe Church

It’s so nice to feel safe somewhere! That’s also our goal at “Bij Simon de Looier.” The people
in charge here bear the primary responsibility for that safety.
At the same time, every participant (volunteer or visitor) is personally responsible for ensuring
safety within the community. Children, youth, and adults—everyone—should be able to
feel safe with us.
To ensure this as much as possible, we have established a code of conduct. We ask our
volunteers and all visitors to adhere to it.
In addition, the evangelism workers and volunteers hold a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).

These rules of conduct have been established to prevent sexual (or other) inappropriate
behavior.
All volunteers at our evangelism center must adhere to the rules of conduct set forth
below. Those who do so may carry out their duties.
The basis for these rules of conduct is what God requires of us, as expressed in Matthew 22
verses 37–39: “And Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
As an evangelism center, we believe that everyone, young and old, should feel safe in our
evangelism center. We consider anything that stands in the way of this safety to be unacceptable, such as: all
forms of unequal treatment, including bullying, abuse of power, discriminatory,
racist, sexist, or (sexually) intimidating behavior or remarks, or inciting such
behavior. Everyone must be treated with respect.
We cannot put every single thing that might hurt others into rules. There would simply be
too many. Of course, this does not mean that if something is not mentioned, it is permissible.

Standard Rules of Conduct are:

1. I treat others as I would like to be treated. I accept and respect others as they are and do not discriminate. Everyone counts in our evangelism ministry.
2. I respect the boundaries that others set.
3. I do not harass others, nor do I cause them harm.
4. I do not abuse my position of power in any way.
5. I do not swear or use profanity.
6. I do not participate in bullying, mocking, or gossiping. I do not talk about others, but rather with them. 
7. I do not use violence or threaten others.
8. I do not get unwelcome too close or touch others against their will.
9. I do not give others unwanted, sexually suggestive attention.
10. I do not ask inappropriate questions or make unwanted comments about someone’s personal life or appearance.
11. I clearly communicate my own boundaries. If someone bothers or harasses me, I ask him or her to stop. If that doesn’t work, I ask someone else for help.
12. I feel responsible for others. I help others to adhere to these agreements as well and speak up when someone does not comply. If necessary, I report this to the evangelist or the trusted advisors.

The evangelism center should be a safe place. We take that for granted.
It is the Lord who also requires this of us in the Bible. Fortunately, most people experience that
sense of safety as well. Unfortunately, sometimes things are different. Sexual abuse can also occur within our relationships. If that is the case for you, please speak up. Even if it happens within our own evangelism center. The evangelism workers believe it is important that visitors feel they can turn to them. You can also contact one of our confidential advisors. This is usually what happens. But if that feels too daunting, there is an independent resource you can turn to. An advisory committee has been established for our evangelism center, where visitors who are victims of sexual abuse in a church context can seek help. This refers to abuse committed by one of the workers or volunteers at the evangelism center.
Sexual abuse is rightly considered a crime in our society. A judge can convict someone for it. Because it is so serious, our evangelism center wants visitors to be able to turn to the independent advisory committee. What has happened must not be swept under the rug!
More information can be found on the website: www.gergeminfo.nl/seksueel-misbruik
This is the website of the Reformed Churches, the denominational association to which the evangelism center belongs.

Confidential Advisors:
Ms. Claudia de Jongh – Midavaine
Email: cddejongh46@gmail.com

Mr. Arjan Voshart
Email: Arjan.voshart@gmail.com