New Life Temple Policy

Under the mandate of the PAOC constitution, Templo Nueva Vida runs a program to prevent and protect the vulnerable sector. The sad reality is that abuse in all its forms (physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect) is all too common. Fortunately, organizations can take the proper steps to keep the vulnerable sector out of harm’s way. Templo Nueva Vida abides by protection policies and has zero tolerance for abuse, mistreatment or violence.

Below, we define the different types of abuse that the victim may report:

1. Physical abuse is any force or deliberate action that results, or could result, in harm to a child or adolescent. It can include hitting, slapping, shaking, burning, biting or throwing a child. It is different from what is considered reasonable discipline.
2. Emotional Abuse is a pattern of behaviour that attacks the child/youth’s emotional development and sense of self-worth. Emotional abuse includes constant criticism, teasing, belittling, insulting, rejecting, ignoring or isolating the child or adolescent.
3. Sexual Abuse is defined as any sexual activity between two or more people without a person’s consent. Sexual abuse can occur between adults, from an adult to a minor or even between minors. Sexual activity includes:
   • Any penetration of genital organs against the will or taking advantage of the incapacity of a minor to understand certain acts. It also includes inducing or forcing the touching of the abuser’s genitals.
   • Any action that incites the minor to witness improper sexual content (for example, watching the adult naked or while having sexual relations with other people, watching pornographic material or attending conversations with sexual content).

Types of sexual abuse are rape, which is considered a crime regardless of the sex of the victim, and statutory rape. Statutory rape is a sexual crime that occurs when a person, generally of legal age, has sexual relations with an adolescent who consents to the relationship.

• Sexual abuse between children and/or adolescents: is any contact or activity of a sexual nature that occurs between a child or adolescent without the consent of the other person or when the adolescent or child has power over the other child. This includes any activity that incites or gratifies the sexual desires of the adolescent or child.
• Sexual Harassment is conduct or commentary by a person toward another person that is unwelcome or considered unwelcome. Conduct of a sexual nature, and all other conduct based on sex and affecting the dignity of women or men, which is unwelcome, unreasonable and offensive to the recipient. It is also when a person’s rejection of, or submission to, such conduct is used explicitly or implicitly as the basis for a decision affecting work or other activities related to the accused. It is conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile or humiliating environment for the recipient.
• Sexual Exploitation Sexual exploitation is an illegal activity whereby a person (mostly a woman or minor) is violently subjected to sexual activities without their consent, for which a third party receives financial remuneration.

As active members of PAOC, we are governed by the Local Church Constitution, Self-Governing. This constitution grants the leadership of New Life Temple the authority to conduct investigations concerning allegations of misconduct under Bylaw 6.3.2 of the Constitution. If you have been a victim, please urge you to make a confidential report here.

Code of conduct for adults towards minors

Under the existing policy for the protection of minors, the following rules will be followed (except for their relatives):

1. An adult shall not seek to kiss a minor or encourage a minor to kiss him/her. Greeting minors shall always be in plain view.
2. Do not engage in excessive hugging, tickling, or games that may be misconstrued.
3. Do not touch the minor’s face when talking to him/her.
4. Do not carry children without parental permission or allow them to sit on your lap.
5. Minimize physical contact with minors while respecting their personal space.
6. Only authorized church personnel with prior police checks or under the supervision of leaders or ushers may be alone with minors.
7. Only authorized church personnel with prior police checks or a family member approved by the parents may accompany a minor to the restroom.
8. If there is a desire to give a gift to a minor, parents should be consulted, and parental permission should be obtained. The gift will be given in public.