Sexual and Abuse Prevention Plan – Good Shepherd Lutheran School

5.1500: Sexual and Abuse Prevention Plan

Approval: Board of Christian Day School

It is Good Shepherd’s goal to provide a safe and secure environment for the children, young adults, and at-risk adults who interact with our programs and activities. By implementing this policy, we will conduct ourselves in a manner that supports an atmosphere of servitude, creativity, spiritual growth, connectedness, and openness, while maintaining a system that first and foremost aims to prevent any wrongdoing, but will respond appropriately should any acts of abuse, incidents of misconduct, inappropriate behavior/or false accusations occur.
PREVENTION:
1. All employees or volunteers who are entrusted with care of children at Good Shepherd Lutheran School must be screened for any prior sexual abuse. The Employee or Volunteer may provide at least one independent reference to aide in their screening or history of sexual abuse. In lieu of an independent reference, the Illinois Dept of Childhood Services may be contacted (https://www.dcfs.illinois.gov )
2. The relevant board–Board of Elders for Pastors and School Board (or Principal) for other employees or volunteers—must verify and contact the independent reference and specifically request information regarding any prior sexual abuse. In lieu of an independent reference check, the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry may be accessed to identify any prior sexual abuse (https://isp.illinois.gov/Sor)
3. The relevant boards—Board of Elders for Pastors and School Board (or Principal) for other employees or volunteers– must review and update this plan and verify all employees and volunteers are complying with this plan on a yearly basis.
TRAINING:
1. Each year, every employee or volunteer must review the Good Shepherd Lutheran Sexual Abuse Plan and Policy (“this Plan”) and verify that they understand and will comply with this Plan.
2. Each year, every employee must complete the MinistrySafe Safety System (https://www.ministrysafe.com) two primary trainings including the Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (1 hour) and Skillful Screening Training (2 hours). This is in-line with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s (LCMS’s) recommendation for church and school employees. For 2025-26, upon registering and logging in, each employee may use coupon code lcms2025 to receive an annual membership and free training at no cost.
3. The relevant boards—Board of Elders for Pastors and School Board (or Principal) for other employees or volunteers—may include more training and/or requirements to prevent abuse.
4. Specific signs that MAY indicate sexual abuse include:
1. Regressive behaviors (e.g., thumb sucking, bedwetting, nightmares)
2. Persistent inappropriate sexual play with self, peers, and toys
3. Knowledge of sexual behavior (drawings) that is advanced for the child’s age
4. Poor peer relationships
5. Overly compliant behavior
6. Pseudo-mature behavior
7. Reluctance to change clothes for gym class or participate in activities
8. Suicidal thoughts
9. Wanting to arrival early or stay late at school
10. Sexual promiscuity or avoidance of relationships
11. Pain, itching, bleeding, withdrawal to a fantasy world
12. Indirect illusions, such as being afraid to go home and wanting to go home with the teacher.
13. Members should take note that a majority of abusers are family members and close friends of the victim and may have experienced “grooming” by the abuser. More information can be found at https://dcfs.illinois.gov/safe-kids/prevention/howtotell.html

REPORTING: Pastors, Principal, and staff members are, required by law to report suspicion of child abuse among their congregation/school.

INVESTIGATION, TRAINING, and DESIGNATED RESPONDER:
If a child reveals sexual abuse to a Pastor/Principal:
1. Take the child seriously.
2. Listen carefully to the child’s explanation for disclosing abuse.
3. Report the abuse to the Police and Child Abuse Hotline.
4. Help the child understand that the abuse is not his/her fault. Give the child love, comfort, and reassurance.
5. Make sure the child receives the aid of a pediatrician and counselor.
6. Protect the child from the alleged perpetrator (i.e. do not leave the child alone with alleged perpetrator) while keeping the privacy of the child in mind.

INVESTIGATION & TRAINING:
If a child reveals sexual abuse by a Staff Member:
1. Take the child seriously.
2. Listen carefully to the child’s explanation for disclosing abuse.
3. Report the abuse to the Police and Child Abuse Hotline.
4. Report the accusation to the Chairman of the Board of Day School or Elders who then becomes the Designated Responder.
5. Help the child understand that the abuse is not his/her fault. Give the child love, comfort, and reassurance.
6. Make sure the child receives the aid of a pediatrician and counselor.
7. Protect the child from the alleged perpetrator (i.e. do not leave the child alone with alleged perpetrator) while keeping the privacy of the child in mind.