UNITED STATES
The Mennonite

2.17. 2016 Written By: Dr. Trudy Good

Dr. Trudy Good is a clinical psychologist who has worked extensively in community mental health in Illinois and Massachusetts. She has a long-standing concern for how churches can be safe havens for children and persons who are marginalized. Her clinical expertise includes working with people with a history of trauma, problematic sexual behaviors, and clinical risk management, and she has consulted and volunteered concerning organizational issues in several congregations. Dr. Good is the director of Good Havens: Safer Places. She participates in the Mennonite Congregation of Boston as well as St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She can be contacted at trudygood@gmail.com. This piece was originally published by Dove’s Nest.

Safe Church policies and procedures should include two important efforts:

First, Safe Church is about preventing abuse of children and vulnerable members.

Second, Safe Church is about protecting children and…