Sexual Misconduct

Candlelight Christian Fellowship is committed to the safety and well-being of every person we serve.
Therefore, inasmuch as we have many safety and security protocols, we desire to specifically address the issue of sexual misconduct among children or adults.

Candlelight Christian Fellowship does not tolerate sexual misconduct of any kind. Therefore, if an adult
or child under our care reports an incident, is reported as having been the violator of a misconduct, or is violated against, an incident report must be initiated and a careful investigation must be completed.

Following an initial investigation, action must be taken in the following manner:

1. If the reported incident is found to be of no substance, the incident report must be signed off by a pastor or ministry leader and filed with the church security department. The report shall also be submitted to the elder board for final dismissal.
2. If the reported incident is found to be of substance, the incident report must be signed by a pastor or ministry leader and filed with the church security department, and submitted to the elder board.
3. If the reported incident is between a minor and another minor, and found to be of substance, the incident report must be signed by a pastor or ministry leader, filed with the church security department, submitted to the elder board—and the parent(s)/guardian of the minor perpetrator must be promptly notified. The date, time, and nature of the communication must be documented. Local law enforcement may be notified when deemed necessary.
4. If the reported incident is between a minor as perpetrator and adult as victim, and the incident is found to be of substance, the incident report must be signed by a pastor or ministry leader, filed with the church security department, submitted to the elder board—and the parent(s)/guardian of both or all parties must be promptly notified. The date, time, and nature of the communication must be documented. Local law enforcement may be notified when deemed necessary.
5. If the reported incident is between an adult as perpetrator and a minor as victim, and is found to be of substance, the incident report must be signed by a pastor or ministry leader, filed with the church security department, submitted to the elder board—and local law enforcement must be notified immediately. The date, time, and nature of the communication must be documented.
6. If the reported incident is between an adult as perpetrator and an adult as victim, and is found to be of substance, the incident report must be signed by a pastor or ministry leader, filed with the church security department, submitted to the elder board—and local law enforcement must be notified immediately. The date, time, and nature of the communication must be documented.
7. If any one of items 2, 5 or 6 (above) apply, the alleged perpetrator will be suspended from all Candlelight activities pending a complete investigation and dismissal.
8. If items 2, 3 or 4 (above) apply, the alleged perpetrator will be suspended from all Candlelight activities or required to sit with a parent or guardian pending a complete investigation and dismissal.
9. If the perpetrator is found to be guilty of misconduct, and is a minor, the perpetrator will be required to sit with a parent or guardian until a plan of restoration is put into effect by the elder board.
10. If the perpetrator is found to be guilty of misconduct, and is an adult, the perpetrator will be suspended from all Candlelight activities until a plan of restoration is put into effect by the elder board.

Any incident involving a minor must be reported to the parent of guardian of said minor.