Safe Sanctuary
The Safe Sanctuary Policies that we have grown to know and love trace their roots back to the General Conferece of 1996. In the 1996 Book of Resolutions, on page 384, there is a resolution stating the problems, as seen at the time, and called for action from each of the local churches and annual conferences.
In 2004 the Northern Illinois Annual Conference changed Standing Rule VI.C., which created the Safe Sanctuary Policy for the Conference. The Resolution was passed as amended in Plenary on June 12th, 2004.
Full Text of 2004 Resolution 702-06
In 2005, the Commission on the Status and Role of Women offered Resolution titled The United Methodist Basic Policy Statement on Sexual and Gender Harassment and Misconduct of Sexual Nature. This resolution passed in plenary on June 8th, 2005.
Full Text of 2005 Resolution 703-04
Also in 2005, the Safe Sanctuary Task Force was created with a Resolution titled the Child and Youth Abuse and Prevention Policy. This resolution defines a purpose, a statement of covenant and specific areas that need to be addressed.
Full Text of 2005 Resolution 703-06
Since a Task Force inherently has a lifespan of 2-years, the same resolution was again offered in 2007, extending the Safe Sanctuary Task Force.