Northwest Community Church, Las Vegas
United Church of Christ
Safe Church Policy
(Updated November 2025)
I. Policy Prohibiting Abuse, Exploitation and Harassment
As a community of Christian faith, Northwest Community Church, Las Vegas is
committed to creating and maintaining programs, facilities and a community in which
members, friends, staff and volunteers can worship, learn and work together in an
atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, exploitation or
intimidation. All persons associated with Northwest Community Church, Las Vegas
should be aware that the church is strongly opposed to all power-based violence
including, but not limited to sexual exploitation, assault and harassment, and that such
behavior is prohibited by church policy. It is the intention of the church to take action in
an attempt to prevent and correct behavior that is contrary to this policy and, if
necessary, to discipline those persons who violate this policy.
II. Appropriate Conduct
It is important that every church employee and volunteer understand the ways in which
their use or misuse of authority may impact others.
It is the policy of Northwest Community Church, UCC to encourage its employees and
leaders to nurture safety by being attentive to self-care, education, maintaining
appropriate boundaries, and the importance of referring those in need to supportive and
helpful resources.
Power-based violence in any form is unethical behavior and will not be tolerated within
this congregation.
III. Power-Based Violence
Interpersonal violence takes many forms. All forms of interpersonal violence are rooted
in the assertion of an individual exerting power and control over another. The term
power-based violence recognizes that categorizing any individual instance of violence is
not necessary. This further recognizes that violence is always the responsibility of the
individual causing harm and never a result of the actions of the victim.
In 2023 the State of Nevada codified a definition of power-based violence in NRS
396.1285.
“Power-based violence” means any form of interpersonal violence intended to
control, intimidate or harm another person through the assertion of power over
the person. The term includes, without limitation:
1. Dating violence;
2. Domestic violenc;
3. Family violence;
4. Gender-based violence
5. Violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression;
6. Sexual assault
7. Sexual harassment;
8. Sexual exploitation;
9. Stalking; or
10. The observation of another person who is naked or engaging in sexual
activity without his or her consent, including without limitation,
voyeurism.
IV. Background and Registry Checks
CORE leadership will conduct all background and registry checks of employees, CORE
members, and volunteers serving with vulnerable populations.
Employees, CORE Members, and volunteers requiring checks will submit a disclosure
forms as necessary to authorize the following checks:
● Federal Sex Offender Registry (nsopw.gov)
● Nevada State Sex Offender Registry (nvsexoffenders.gov)
● A background check of criminal history conducted by a third party vendor
selected by the Core leadership team.
If negative information is found in a background check the following steps will be taken:
● The person who conducted the background check will share the information with
the moderator of Core who will bring it to the full Core leadership team in a
closed meeting.
● The individual will be given an opportunity to provide context to the situation.
● Core will make an individual decision about the individual’s suitability to serve in
the position they are seeking. Factors influencing the decision may include but
are not limited to:
○ Type of offense (violent, non-violent, financial, drug possession)
○ Date of offense
○ Mitigating circumstances
○ Actions following conviction
○ How crime relates to the position the individual is seeking
If, at any point in their service to the church, an employee, CORE member or volunteer
is involved in an incident that would have changed their status in any of these checks it
is their responsibility to report it immediately to the CORE leadership team and cease
church duties until a determination has been made by CORE.
V. Additional Requirements for Those Volunteering with
Vulnerable Populations
Northwest Community Church is committed to providing a safe and healthy
environment in which all people can learn about and experience God’s love.
Recognizing that anyone can experience abuse and that abuse is not confined to any
gender, gender expression, age or ability level we also recognize that certain populations
experience abuse at a higher level. We are called to take measures to protect these
individuals from potential harm. These vulnerable populations include, but are not
limited to:
● Children and youth;
● Individuals with disabilities including both intellectual and physical disabilities;
and
● Elderly individuals.
In operation of this commitment to safety we have established the following guidelines
in addition to the general requirements for ministry to the church volunteers serving
with vulnerable populations will:
● Have been members of Northwest Community Church, Las Vegas for at least six
months or, if not members, have been regularly associated with Northwest
Community Church, Las Vegas for at least a year.
● Receive orientation regarding safe church policies and procedures.
Always serve in teams of no fewer than two unrelated adults, youth over the age
of 16 may assist an unrelated adult in supervising children and youth activities
but will not be included in the child:adult ratio.
Additionally, written consent of a parent or guardian is required for any minor for all:
● Activities off church property
● Overnight activities
● Photographs that will be included in publications or electronic media including
the church website
VI. Violation of the Safe Church Policy
In the event that a violation of the Safe Church policy is discovered the following steps
will be taken:
● The first member of the Core leadership team or church staff who is aware of the
violation will inform the individual identified as causing harm to cease activities
related to their position until an investigation is complete and Core
communicates a decision about next steps.
● Core leadership will work with the person who was harmed to follow their wishes
about reporting and connection to resources. However in specific cases Core may
determine that reporting is necessary even though the person harmed does not
want the report to be made.
● If appropriate and necessary, the individual with the most information about the
violation will follow mandated reporting guidelines for child or elder abuse. If
this is necessary, all parties will be informed that the report is required and will
be made.
● If the individual who was harmed, or their parent or guardian, would like police
involvement, Core leadership will assist in calling the police, making reports, and
participating in all investigations.
● Moderator of Core, or their designee, will create a full report of the violation after
discussing the situation with all individuals who were involved. If a minor is
involved they may choose to speak only with the child’s parent or guardian. In all
situations there will be a “Start by Believing” mentality, in which those who have
been harmed will be believed and not treated as if they bear responsibility for
mistreatment and abuse.
● A special, closed meeting of Core and Clergy will be held to discuss the violation
and next steps. Following the meeting all decisions will be shared with the
individuals involved.
● The process and details of the situation will be kept in confidentiality and specific
details will not be shared with the larger congregation and / or church
community. It may be appropriate to address the church community about the
situation – acknowledging that it happened and what the outcome is – but
specific details will not be shared publicly or with individuals not directly
involved.