ÿWPC ¯A:,±RR]-Ùt]­ƒvËŒ=MI;*´•zbC]:,×âë!,éLQ°x¾e…(ˆ" I†ä‘Stô!·Ôºµ€vsÈúÌ¡8gn ¥c1äPã>GžXW-‘'¼1®¯$_µ¨“ —ý\ÍH…:;p0§q—ê”1yçï3üÂWì§uÞÔw âã(ᣞUëõµ¨Ò¢ƒŒèþæ(ªª±©lÔb4kŽËîï7EÔíÐTóÇÚ;¡óNÁæê¶?C1QuÃ[[½}^1P›Œå›Ÿ¥„©9 Ž7øxíˆåPG\y-KÒÁŒÉkPCÙa ÷ØäÐF”]˜Ò¼«]v •ªgå!èϧ<³ñáˆ"ZP´QLoVòïgÖ¥B踠–%ˆýÉGfõeÑ6…Û\)¢Vwêõø"ïeçÛ¹ÿ‚e|–Cà„•;çx˜N­òöG÷ýÜE*±r•Îû¸+m(Ù4¶T—)Ê4Bm^…mî»¶ó«hzíÕØ*ciÐa 2çÙí¬Éç ѱ#büßei/°…åyjô¹>±`$²¶Qãšž—½P hTè.tÀ‚½°>¬²ßiÜÜ/>X¹üõˆ#`Bß’ÒTkÚ#!êUN %Y 0(_ N‡ 1‰ 1u& 0c› ^ þ w@ 4J ^ m` Šw w                                                                            B D34 D3g Bš D3· Bê D3 B: D3W BŠ D/§ D3Ö B*  D33 B*f#|xO˜HP LaserJet 5 (Copy 2)Ü,,,,Ü0(ÈhH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡(нCEOYcmw‹AutoList11.1 ù1.1 ù1.1 ù1.1 ù1.1 ù1.1 ù1.1 ù1.1 ù##37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  ௕+)á F{GDHDIJ[K[L[MDN[O[ò€&)hØ„ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ €Ñ  ÑÑ  ÑÑ\R3Ø' Letter\ÑÑ À Ñ Ñ X Ñ d\\\\'ÿÿdxd____'óÿdxdöÿ  daaaa'ûÿdxdüÿP Pdcccc'ýÿdxdþÿ deeee'üÿdxdýÿ daa'÷ÿ dxdhhhh'þÿdxd&ÿÿ0 d djjjj'òÿdxd&õÿP d dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ„°ÑÑî°ÑÓ  Óòòò òòòÑ€RÀÑÓ5‡i„5ÓÔ‡èk3çXXÔÑ€/VÑÔ#†Xo½Xçèk3¢#ÔÔ‡„lû„XXo½ÔINVESTIGATIVE€PROCEDURESÔ#†Xo½X„„lûõ#ÔÔ‡èk3çXXo½ÔÔ#†Xo½Xçèk3O#Ôóóó óóóÐ õq ÐÓGÓÓ@† õÐì„ÎJqqqq!m@Óò òÌ1.€GENERAL€GUIDELINES€FOR€INVESTIGATION€OF€ALLEGATIONSó óÐ ¾: ÐÌÓL€ н(#LÓÝ ‚ 3£ ÝÝ  Ý€€€€€Ý‚ 3£žÝÔ2нÔ1.Ú  Ú1Ú  Úð ùðÔ3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝTreat€all€complaints€as€serious€until€proven€false.݃ 3£žÎ݌О(#(# ÐŒÝ  Ýà0  àà ° à€€€€€1.2€€Begin€investigation€of€complaint€as€expediently€as€possible€from€the€time€of€receiving€theÏcomplaint€(normally€within€24€hours.)Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€1.3€à0(#(#àTwo€designated,€trained€persons€(one€a€pastor,€the€other€a€lay€person)€should€do€all€of€the€€Ð n ê Ðinterviewing€of€the€victim,€the€accused€and€the€supervisor€of€the€accused.€€A€list€ofÏqualified€€lay€persons€will€be€approved€by€church€council.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€1.4€€Whenever€an€investigation€is€undertaken,€the€chair€of€the€congregation€council€shall€beÏnotified€of€the€investigation€without€revealing€names€of€those€involved.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€1.5€€Guard€confidentiality€of€complaint€and€of€investigation€as€much€as€possible.€€EmphasizeÏthe€confidentiality€of€the€investigation€to€each€person€who€is€interviewed,€and€instructÏhim€or€her€not€to€disclose€any€information€regarding€the€complaint€or€investigation€toÏanyone.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€1.6€€Make€detailed€written€notes€of€each€conversation€noting€persons€present,€date,€time,Ïlocation€and€details€of€the€conversation.€€Ask€interviewee€to€review€the€notes€and€signÏthat€they€are€accurate.€(With€the€interviewee's€permission,€conversation€may€be€tapeÏrecorded€rather€than€taking€written€notes.)Ð (#(# Ðò òÌ2.€€INVESTIGATION€OF€ALLEGATIONS€WHEN€THE€PERPETRATOR€CONFESSESó óÐ Ž  ÐÌà0  àà ° à€€€€€2.1€€Have€the€perpetrator€sign€a€confession€and€give€written€permission€to€have€the€confessionÏmade€public€when€appropriate.€€[See€Section€3.28€re:€"Disclosure€if€just€cause€exists".]Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€€2.2€€Report€the€matter€to€the€state€agency€that€receives€reports€of€child€abuse.Ìà0  àà ° à€€€€€2.3€€Immediately€remove€the€individual€from€any€€volunteer€or€paid€position€involving€contactÏwith€minors.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€2.4€€Follow€the€recommendations€for€"Responding€to€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family"Ï[Section€3.30].Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€€2.5€€Contact€the€church€insurance€company.Ì€€€€€2.6€€Contact€the€church€attorney.Ì€€€€€2.7€€Contact€Southeastern€Synod€of€Ô_ÔELCAÔ_Ô.ÌÌò ò3.€€INVESTIGATION€OF€ALLEGATIONS€WHEN€THE€PERPETRATOR€DOESÐ ¾$:!" Ѐ€€€€NOT€CONFESSó óÐ ®%*"# ÐÌ€€€€€ò òInterview€the€alleged€victim€(in€the€presence€of€his€or€her€parents)ó óÐ Ž' $% Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€3.1€€Assure€the€victim€and€the€victim's€parents€that€the€church€takes€very€seriously€anyÏallegations€of€sexual€or€physical€misconduct€and€will€not€tolerate€any€sexual€or€physicalÏabuse.Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€€3.2€€Explain€the€investigative€procedure€and€screening€and€supervisory€procedures€used.Ì€€€€€3.3€€Explain€the€issues€involved€in€the€victim's€right€to€anonymity.Ìà0  àà ° à€€€€€3.4€€Make€detailed€written€notes€of€the€conversation,€including€a€detailed€account€of€theÏalleged€incident(s),€any€corroborating€evidence€such€as€medical€records,€notes,€letters,€orÏwitnesses.Ð/Š+-(#(# ÐÑRÀÑâ âÑÑÑ  ÑÑTRXà3Ø' LetterXà3Ø' Letter3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÑÀîÑâ âÑ  Ñà0  àà ° à€€€€€3.5à0(#(#àAsk€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family€what€action€they€would€like€the€church€to€take€ifÐ „ Ðthe€accused€is€found€legally€guilty.€€Be€sure€to€make€a€written€record€of€the€response.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€3.6€€Ask€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family€if€they€have€discussed€the€alleged€incident€withÏanyone€else€(e.g.,€a€pastor,€counselor,€doctor,€friend,€spouse,€relative,€co-worker).Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€€3.7€€Ask€the€victimg€and€the€victim's€family€if€€they€have€reported€the€incident€to€the€properÌà  àauthorities,€or€if€they€plan€to€report€it.€€Inform€them€of€the€proper€authorities€to€contact€ifÌ€€€€€€€€€€à0  àneeded.Ð$  (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€3.8€€When€the€record€of€the€conversation€is€complete,€ask€the€victim€and/or€parents€to€sign€aÏstatement€that€the€account€is€accurate.Ð (#(# ÐÌ€€€€ò òInterview€the€accused.ó óÐ ä `  Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€€3.9à0(#(#àInform€the€accused€of€the€nature€of€the€complaint.€Advise€the€accused€that€the€church€willÐ Ô P  Ðthoroughly€investigate€any€allegation€of€sexual€or€physical€abuse.Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€3.10à0  àIf€the€victim€and€the€victim's€parent(s)/€guardian(s)€have€consented€to€the€disclosure€ofд0 (#(# Ѐ€€€€€€€€€à0  àñBññ;ñ€ñ;ññBñhis/her€identity,€interview€the€accused€perpetrator€about€the€alleged€incident,€makingÐ ¤  ÐñCñdñCññDñdñDñetailed€written€notes€of€the€conversation.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.11€ñEñ€ñEñIf€the€victim€has€requested€anonymity€describe€the€allegations€without€revealing€the€€Ïvictim's€identity;€interview€the€accused€about€the€alleged€incident.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.12ñFñà0(#(#àñFññGñ€€ñGñIf€the€accused€denies€the€allegations,€ask€what€motives€might€cause€someone€to€makeÐ dà Ðsuch€allegations.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.13€ñHñ€WñHññIñWñIñhen€the€record€of€the€conversation€is€complete,€ask€the€accused€to€sign€a€statement€thatÏthe€account€is€accurate.Ð (#(# ÐÌ€€€€ñJñò òñJñInterview€the€Supervisor€of€the€accused€(if€any).ñJñó óñJñÐ  Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.14€€Summarize€the€allegations€against€the€accused.€€Ask€questions€regarding€knowledge€ofÏallegations€(past€&€present),€action€taken€by€supervisor,€possible€motives,€and€ifÏscreening€procedures€and€policies€were€followed.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.15€€When€the€record€of€the€conversation€is€complete,€ask€the€supervisor€to€sign€a€statementÏthat€the€account€is€accurate.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.16€€If€the€supervisor€is€unwilling€to€be€interviewed€ask€him/her€to€sign€a€statement€to€thatÏeffect.Ð (#(# ÐÌ€€€€ñKñò òñKñResolution€of€the€charge€if€reasonable€cause€exists.ñKñó óñKñÐ „!  Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.17€€Report€the€matter€to€the€state€agency€that€receives€reports€of€child€abuse.€€Report€shouldÏbe€made€by€one€of€the€interviewers.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.18€€Immediately€remove€the€individual€from€any€volunteer€position€involving€contact€withÏminors€until€issue€is€resolved.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.19€€Consult€with€the€church's€attorney€and€follow€personnel€policy€when€the€accused€is€aÏpaid€staff€person.Ð (#(# Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.20€€Follow€the€recommendations€for€"Responding€to€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family"Ï[Section€3.30].Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€3.21€€Contact€the€church€insurance€company.Ì€€€€3.22€€Contact€the€church's€attorney.Ì€€€€3.23€€Contact€Southeastern€Synod€of€Ô_ÔELCAÔ_Ô.Ìà0  àà ° à€€€€3.24€€Review€the€recommendation€of€the€victim€and€victim's€family€regarding€appropriateÏdisciplinary€action.Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€3.25€€Inform€the€congregation€council€of€the€investigation€and€steps€taken.Ð ¤. +. ÐÑ/VÑâ âÑXÀÑâ âÑ  Ñ€€€€3.26€€Inform€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family€of€action€taken€as€a€result€of€the€investigation.Ì€€€€3.27€€Inform€the€accused€of€action€taken€as€a€result€of€the€investigation.Ìà0  àà ° à€€€€3.28€€Keep€the€congregation€informed€when€appropriate.€If€communication€is€to€be€by€letter,Ïsend€it€only€to€active,€adult€confirmed€members€and€mark€the€letter€and€envelopeÏ"Privileged€and€Confidential."€State€only€facts€that€can€be€established€as€true.€Have€theÏletter€reviewed€by€an€attorney€before€it€is€sent.€€If€communication€is€to€be€oral,€allowÐ (#(# Ѐ€€€€€€€€€à0  àonly€active,€adult,€confirmed€members€of€the€congregation€to€be€present,€read€a€writtenÐ$  (#(# Ѐ€€€€€€€€à0  àstatement€which€follows€the€above€guidelines€and€has€been€reviewed€by€legal€counsel.€Ð   ÐDo€not€attempt€to€answer€questions€or€make€comments.Ð (#(# ÐÌ€€€€ñLñò òñLñResolution€of€the€charge€if€evidence€is€inconclusiveñLñó óñLñ.Ð ä `  Ðà0  àà ° à€€€€3.29à0(#(#àDiscuss€the€case,€either€in€person€or€by€phone,with€the€state€agency€that€receives€reportsÐ Ô P  Ðof€child€abuse.€€If€the€report€is€made€by€phone€it€should€be€done€over€phone€that€recordsÏthe€conversation.€Inform€the€authorities€that€the€conversation€is€being€recorded.€€AfterÏcompleting€the€report,€transcribe€the€conversation€so€that€a€written€record€is€kept.€€IncludeÏthe€name€and€position€of€the€person€contacted.€€If€the€report€is€made€in€person,€bothÏinvestigators€should€be€present€and€prepare€and€sign€a€detailed€written€memorandum€ofÐ (#(# Ѐ€€€€€€€€€à0  àthe€conversation€including€the€details€of€the€conversation,€and€the€name€and€position€ofÐ tð Ðthe€person€contacted.Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€3.30à0  àImmediately€remove€the€individual€from€any€volunteer€position€involving€contact€withÐ TÐ Ðminors€until€issue€is€resolved.Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€3.31à0  àConsult€with€the€church's€attorney€and€follow€personnel€policy€when€the€accused€is€a€paidÐ 4° Ðstaff€person.Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€3.32à0  àContact€the€church€insurance€company.Ð(#(# Ѐ€€€3.33à0  àContact€the€church's€attorney.Ѐ(#(# Ѐ€€€3.34à0  àContact€Southeastern€Synod€of€Ô_ÔELCAÔ_Ô.Ðôp(#(# Ѐ€€€3.35à0  àInform€the€congregation€council€of€the€investigation€and€steps€taken.Ðä`(#(# Ѐ€€€3.36à0  àInform€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family€of€action€taken€as€a€result€of€the€investigation.ÐÔP(#(# Ѐ€€€3.37à0  àInform€the€accused€of€action€taken€as€a€result€of€the€investigation.ÐÄ@(#(# ÐñMñÌñMñÌ€€€€ñNñò òñNñResponding€to€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family.ñNñó óñNñÐ ¤  Ѐ€€€3.38à0  àChurch€leaders€should€frequently€contact€the€victim€and€the€victim's€family€to€expressÐ ”  Ðconcern€and€make€the€services€of€the€church€available€to€them.€€If€the€accused€is€foundÏguilty€or€confesses€and€the€church€wants€to€offer€financial€assistant€to€hire€or€retain€aÏprofessional€counselor€for€the€victim,€state€in€writing€the€parameters€of€the€counseling,Ð (#(# Ѐ€€€€€€€€€à0  àincluding€the€name€of€the€counselor,€how€many€sessions,€and€the€maximum€dollar€cost€toÐ T$Ð # Ðthe€congregation.Ð (#(# ÐÌ€€€€ñOñò òñOñResponding€to€the€media.ñOñó óñOñÐ $' #& Ѐ€€€3.39à0  àRefer€all€media€inquiries€to€the€designated€spokesperson€of€Christ€Our€Shepherd€LutheranÐ($'(#(# Ѐ€€€€€€€€€à0  àChurch.Ð)€%((#(# Ѐ€€€3.40à0  àThe€designated€spokesperson€should€emphasize€the€church's€concern€for€victims€and€theÐ ô)p&) Ðextensive€steps€the€congregation€has€taken€to€reduce€the€risk€of€child€abuse€and€to€provideÏa€safe€environment€for€children.€€Describe€all€the€precautions€taken€and€the€policiesÏimplemented.€€Be€Ô_ÔproactiveÔ_Ô€and€positive€about€Christ€Our€Shepherd€Lutheran€Church'sÏapproach€to€child€abuse.Ð (#(# Ѐ