Safe church
Rafaël Goes wants to be a place where everyone is cared for, where it is safe to come and where each person is seen.
The church, a safe place
On 10 December 2014 more than twenty churches signed the declaration ‘The church, a safe place’. In it they acknowledged that churches must put their own house in order through transparent policy, to prevent every form of inappropriate behaviour. Rafaël Nederland signed this declaration too. When we speak of a safe church we mean above all the safety there must be between people: between guests and members, between youth leaders and young people, and between the leadership team and the guests and members of the church. Respect for each other in word and deed is our standard.
Churches should be a place where people can feel safe and where they are safe: young and old, members and visitors, volunteers and professionals.
Inappropriate behaviour
Behaviour can be inappropriate or cross boundaries: what you say or do should fit the relationship you have with the other person. It concerns behaviour that one of the parties does not freely agree to. Anyone can encounter it, but certainly also vulnerable groups such as children, young people and people in a relationship of dependence.
By inappropriate behaviour we mean, among other things:
Bullying
Unwanted jokes
Unwanted touching
Racism
Exclusion
Discrimination
(Sexual) harassment or abuse
Confidential advisers
We think it is important to handle this well. That is why we take measures that contribute to prevention and to an adequate response when there is (alleged) inappropriate behaviour. Within Evangelische gemeente Rafaël Goes two confidential advisers have been appointed, a man and a woman.
You can reach the confidential advisers of Rafaël Goes at vertrouwenspersoon@rafaelgoes.nl
Rafaël Goes, November 2023
Bible passages
Among others, we read:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2
“The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.” James 3
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6
Reporting points
Where you can turn outside the church.
Rafaël Nederland
Evangelische gemeente Rafaël Goes is a local church of the Rafaël Nederland church body. Rafaël Nederland has a code of conduct for leaders in the church; we follow it at Rafaël Goes too. Confidential adviser: vertrouwenspersoon@rafael.nl. Inappropriate behaviour by leaders can, after advice, be reported to meldpunt@rafael.nl.
Stichting Evangelisch Meldpunt
The national organisation for churches in the field of (reporting) inappropriate behaviour. Rafaël Goes is affiliated: www.wijzijnsem.nl.