SAFTEY RESOURCES
The DSC is committed to the highest levels of integrity. Our call to “do no harm” is taken very seriously. If you are aware of any criminal incidents, issues, or concerns regarding the churches of the DSC, please consider reporting them to the Conference or the UMC.
DSC HOTLINE
Report criminal activities such as financial fraud or sexual abuse in our churches through an anonymous 24-hour hotline. 1-855-FRAUD-HL or www.FRAUDHL.com/submit-a-report. The company ID, DSCUMC, is required when you make a report as well as the church’s name or pastor’s name and city or state.
- Click here to download a hotline poster.
- Contact communications@dscumc.org to order 4.25″x6″ magnet posters.
- Click here to submit a report.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
- Click here to learn about this topic, strategies to eradicate sexual harassment, and resolutions adopted.
- Information on state laws, flyers, and overview for how to get started.
- Comprehensive resources for the complaint process.
- Curriculum on sexual misconduct in the church and understanding the role of power.
- Click here to download the UMC Sexual Ethics poster.
- Do no harm video series.
SAFETY RESOURCE NEWS
Serve and protect your congregation with Safe Gatherings
Did you know churches all over the Desert Southwest use the Safe Gatherings training to help meet their Safe Sanctuaries policies? Check it out. It's easy to use and provides top-notch training! Find out more at...
What is Safe Gatherings?
By Cat Holbert, Executive Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries Safe Gatherings began in 2012 as a project to assist the Kansas East UMC Conference (now part of the Great Plains UMC Conference). Fueled by a passion for protecting vulnerable populations, Safe...
Fraud Prevention Reminder
Previously, the Desert Southwest Conference set up an anonymous hotline for reporting criminal activities such as financial fraud or sexual abuse in our churches. Each church received custom magnets with the hotline information. This spring remind your church and...
Thoughts from Matt – What a strange year it has been
Covid19. George Floyd. A contentious national election. Just one of these would be enough, but this year we’ve experienced all of this, and more. The First Amendment grants Americans the right to peacefully assemble, and over the course of 2020, many people have...
Is Zoom safe?
“We take security extremely seriously at Zoom. We are always looking to ensure we are protecting our customers and creating a safe environment for all users. We updated our privacy policy the other day to reassure all customers of this commitment.” Jared Heidt, Zoom Account Executive-VAST
Watch out for gift card scam
ALERT: Scammers are posing as clergy or representatives from a church and asking people to buy gift cards for charity. If you or someone you know paid a scammer with a gift card, report it as soon as possible. read more
Safe Gatherings
Life-changing children and youth ministry begins by equipping those who serve for success by ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all participants. Find the updated Safe Sanctuary policy and take advantage of Safe Gatherings in your ministry settings today!
DSC HOTLINE – www.FraudHL.com
Stewardship comes in many forms. Stewardship can be how we care for our church facilities; it can involve giving campaigns and practices. Stewardship can also include making sure our churches and church events are safe places for all people.
Fraud in the Church
From the time they were born, George and I raised our daughters in the church. We wanted to raise them to have hearts open to all people. We struggled though, with how to raise them to seek the best in all people and be safe for we knew there were people who would use their trust to harm them.
Human Trafficking Awareness
January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month. Pastors and laity, let’s intercept the traffickers and reverse the momentum. Resources and action items are available for your church for the whole month. Step 1: Download and distribute the bulletin insert…