Tag: child sexual abuse

https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2022/02/ex-alabama-foster-mother-pleads-guilty-to-11-counts-of-child-abuse.html

Ex-Alabama foster mother pleads guilty to 11 counts of child abuse

• Updated: Feb. 02, 2022, 7:27 p.m.|
• Published: Feb. 02, 2022, 6:46 p.m.

By Howard Koplowitz | hkoplowitz@al.com

A foster mother who abused her children while living in Alabama for six years pleaded guilty Wednesday to 11 counts of child abuse and is expected to be sentenced to a year in prison.

Jenise Spurgeon was facing 15 years in prison on each count but will only be locked up for a year under a plea deal, according to WAAY.

Spurgeon and her husband, Daniel Spurgeon, abused 11 children they either adopted or fostered in Florence between September 2008 until the family moved to Florida in July 2015.

Daniel Spurgeon pleaded guilty in 2019 to two counts of child rape, one count of sexual torture and 11 counts of aggravated child abuse stemming from the incidents.

The Spurgeons and the Alabama Department of Human Resources are also being sued civilly by the victims, who claim the agency was negligent by missing “numerous red flags” that physical and sexual abuse was occurring at the Florence home.

“Without the bravery and strength of these victims coming forward, we would have never known about the horrendous abuse they suffered,” said Birmingham attorney Tommy James, who is representing the victims in the civil suit. “They showed extraordinary courage speaking up against the Spurgeons, who should have been protected them instead of hurt them.”

Jenise Spurgeon “willingly participated in the abuse of these children and she deserves punishment. Now DHR needs to answer for failing these children. It is incomprehensible this abuse continued for years right under the noses of DHR workers,” James said. “My clients suffered unimaginable consequences because the people at DHR did not do their jobs. It is appalling they allowed this to happen.”

https://www.waff.com/2019/08/12/shoals-foster-dad-sentenced-years-child-sex-abuse/

Shoals foster dad sentenced to 25 years for child sex abuse

Published: Aug. 13, 2019 at 9:14 AM GMT+12

FLORENCE, Ala. (WAFF) – A foster father will spend more than 2 decades in prison after pleading guilty to physically and sexually abusing children in his care.

Daniel Spurgeon received a 25 year sentence to be followed by 10 years of supervised release on Monday.

Spurgeon pleaded guilty to 11 counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of rape of a child younger than 12, and one count of sexual torture in July.

READ MORE: Daniel Spurgeon’s guilty plea

Victims spoke about the abuse that came at the hands of Daniel Spurgeon before he was sentenced, saying Spurgeon home schooled them to keep them separated from society. One victim described being kept in a locked room where they were sexually abused and left without food. Victims also said Spurgeon would drug them before sexual abuse.

Spurgeon’s wife, Jenise, is set for trial in October.

READ MORE: Former AL couple charged with sex crimes, violence against 11 children in their care

The Spurgeon’ were indicted and then brought to Alabama from Florida after authorities learned of abuse allegations from 11 foster children in their care.

Copyright 2019 WAFF. All rights reserved.

April 15, 2023

Dear Friends and Fellow workers in Kentucky & Tennessee,

We have received word that Dean Bruer, a worker in Northwestern US, who died last fall had been living a double immoral life. There is substantial evidence that this is true. Also another man who was in this ministry and having a place of oversight, has been accused of abusing children. Needless to say, we are shocked by all this and have a heavy heart for the victims.

Our prayer is that the victims will continue to seek the Lord in their distress and experience His healing and comfort that He alone can give.

We are saddened that such horrible things have occurred among our people, that men who have been held in such high esteem and trust have turned out to be like those we hear of in the world, from time to time, without the fear of God, whose horrible deeds have been brought to light.

To add to this, on Friday this week, a father told us of his daughter, when a girl of being abused by the son of a man who was attending our meetings. This Information just surfaced recently. Since that time, these horrible Incidences have plagued her and been so distressing, to say the least. When we received this word, Darin Jensen and I reported the Information to the police in the county of occurrence.

We encourage all to report to the authorities (police in the county of occurrence) anyone whose behavior is inappropriate with children; family, neighbor, Worker, friend, etc. Or phone the CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE KY 877-597-2331 or TN 877-237-OCXM. The Workers in the ministry are responsible to notify the authorities as we are mandated reporters.

The Workers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and other states have taken the Child Sexual Abuse Training with Ministry Safe, based at Ft. Worth Texas 6001 River Oaks Ft. Worth Texas 76114 Some states have taken their training every two years for the last ten years. Other states have this source of instruction. We have found this organization to be most helpful.

Though we are aware that we are limited, we will standby and support in any way we can, those who have suffered such humiliation and hurt through abuse, who seek help of the Lord and professional help if needed.

We are glad we can look to the Lord Jesus for comfort, who is pure, holy and undefiled. Also to those among us who are true, upholding the life of Jesus by word, example, love and all purity.

Our Lord and those who follow Him, suffer reproach, because of the corrupt actions of individuals.

Sincerely

Your brother      [Signed by Jerome Frandle]

Policy Statement

As a fellowship we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children (under the age of 18). All children have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children. We will ensure that a caring and appropriate response is initiated should abuse or suspicion of abuse occur.

This policy was written with a focus on children who come into contact with or are part of the fellowship.

The testimony of our fellowship is supported and maintained by an open and transparent policy.

Purpose

The safety, welfare and well-being of children is paramount; we believe children should never experience abuse of any kind.

• We are committed to conduct ourselves in a way that protects and safeguards children from any possible harm.
• We are committed to support and respect the healing of survivors of abuse within, or who were once part of, the fellowship.
• We have zero tolerance to abuse and will comply with reporting requirements of any suspicion of abuse, on reasonable grounds, to the authorities.
• There will never be any attempt to manage reported abuse within the fellowship.
• We encourage reporting of any suspected abuse, on reasonable grounds.
• To report in NSW (can be anonymously), phone Department of Family & Community Services Child Protection Helpline 132111. In ACT phone Child & Youth Protection Services – 1300 556 729.

We recognise parental responsibility for providing education and boundaries to maintain child safety. We will respect any boundaries parents have in place. We encourage open conversation and education in families around child safety.

We expect members of the fellowship to keep children safe.

This policy will be available to people participating in the fellowship.

Any person under investigation or convicted of an offence against a child will not be permitted to participate in activities that provide access to children.

We support a ministry that is itinerant and relies on the support of the fellowship to enable the Gospel to be shared.

All Workers have a responsibility to be aware of and support all aspects of a child-safe environment. They will undertake the following:

• Complete child-safe training every 3 years.
• Complete police checks every 3 years.
• Adhere to this policy and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.
• Ensure they are respectful of and acknowledge the rights of children, at all times.
• Complete appropriate training before joining the staff in NSW.

Governance

We will ensure biennial review of this policy or as required.

We will maintain record keeping in respect of governance of the requirements of this policy.

All Workers will complete the appropriate training before commencing in the Gospel work and will be provided with the Workers’ Code of Conduct.

All Workers will be provided with NSW & ACT regulations and information in regard to reporting requirements. Visiting Workers will be provided with a copy of this policy and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.

Developed and endorsed for NSW & ACT July 2019. Review due 2021.

In society, children are valued, and their health, safety and wellbeing is important.

All States and Territories in Australia have laws to keep children safe and ensure their needs are met. Harm in the form of child abuse and neglect can happen to any child or young person in any family, and it can have long-lasting and damaging effects (NSW Communities & Justice, 2019).

Child abuse is any behaviour that harms a child under 18. Child abuse can be a single incident or a number of different incidents that take place over time.

WHAT TO DO

If you suspect child abuse, the Queensland Government provides an online child protection guide that can be used to get the right support at a time of need.

The Queensland Child Protection Guide is an online decision support tool that guides individuals on when to report their concerns or seek family support services.

The guide can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2OTzeK8

WHO TO CONTACT

1800 811 810 If you suspect abuse and aren’t sure who to call contact the Child Safety Services Enquiry Unit

1800 177 135 To report abuse to the Child Safety Regional Intake Service General Line.

HELP AND ADVICE
Family and Child Connect 13 32 64 to access family support, anyone can contact this service for advice and information (including family friends and grandparents)

Parentline 1300 30 1300 a confidential phone service providing counselling and referral services.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN

Daniel Morcombe Foundation FACT SHEET https://bit.ly/2SOkjlz

Queensland Family and Child Commission https://bit.ly/38q8c4F

This document is current as of February 2020

Policy Statement

As a fellowship we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children (under the age of 18). All children have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children. We will ensure that a caring and appropriate response is initiated should abuse or suspicion of abuse occur.

This policy was written with a focus on children who come into contact with, or belong to the fellowship.

The testimony of our fellowship is supported and maintained by an open and transparent policy.

Purpose

The safety, welfare and wellbeing of the child is paramount, we believe a child should never experience abuse of any kind.

• We are committed to conduct ourselves in a way that protects and safeguards children from any possible harm.
• We are committed to support and respect the healing of survivors of abuse within the fellowship.
• We have zero tolerance to abuse and will comply with reporting requirements of any suspicion of abuse to the authorities as mandated.
• There will never be any attempt to manage reported abuse within the fellowship.
• To report, (can be anonymously) phone Families SA via Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 131478, or online via https://my.families.sa.gov.au/IDMProv/landing.html  In NT Child Abuse Hotline 1800 700 250.
• We would encourage reporting of any suspected abuse.

We recognise parental responsibility for providing education and boundaries to maintain child safety. We will respect any boundaries that parents have in place in this regard. We encourage open conversation and education in families around child safety.

We expect members of the fellowship to keep children safe.

This policy will be available to people participating in the fellowship.

Any person who is under investigation or convicted of an offence against a child will not be permitted to participate in activities which provides access to children.

We support a ministry that is itinerant and relies on the support of the fellowship to enable the gospel to be shared. All Workers and Elders are responsible for being aware of, and supporting all aspects of a child safe environment. All Workers:

• will complete child safe training every 3 years.
• will complete police checks every 3 years.
• must ensure that the “Workers’ Code of Conduct” is maintained at all times and that they are respectful of and acknowledge the rights of children.
• will be issued with a copy of this policy.
• from interstate and abroad will complete the appropriate training before joining the staff in South Australia.

Governance

We will ensure review of this policy as required.

We will maintain record keeping in respect of governance of the requirements of this policy.

All Workers will complete the appropriate training before commencing in the Gospel work and be provided with a copy of the Workers’ Code of Conduct.

All Workers will be provided with South Australian regulations and information in regard to reporting requirements.

Visiting Workers will be provided with a copy of this policy and the Workers’ Code of Conduct and will comply with the Code of Conduct.

Reviewed and endorsed for South Australia and Northern Territory 25/09/2020. Review due 2023

Guidance for Child Safety in Western Australia

For the purpose of this Guidance:

“We” means the inclusion of both Workers (members of the Ministry) and Friends (members of the fellowship) who are part of this voluntary fellowship.

“Child” or “Children” refers to any person or persons under the age of eighteen (18) years.

“Parent” or “parental” are meant to be inclusive of both the parents as well as legal or appointed guardians of any children.

“Abuse” means any sexual contact of any kind with a child under the age of eighteen (18) years, without the child’s consent, or with consent where the law states that consent is not relevant.

“Victim” means a male or female person who, whilst a child, has been subject to alleged or actual sexual abuse.

Statement

As a voluntary fellowship we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children.

All children have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children. Should abuse or suspicion of abuse occur, we would support a caring and appropriate response.

The testimony of our voluntary fellowship is supported and maintained by openness and transparency. This guidance has been written with a focus on the safety of children who come into contact with or are part of this voluntary fellowship.

Purpose and Intent

The purpose of this guidance document is to impress the importance that we as a voluntary fellowship believe that the safety, welfare and well-being of children is paramount and believe that children should never experience abuse of any kind.

• We are committed to conduct ourselves in a way that protects and safeguards children from any possible harm.
• We are committed to support and respect the healing of survivors of abuse within or who were once part of this voluntary fellowship.
• We have zero tolerance to abuse.
• We will encourage a presumed victim or his or her parent/guardian to report alleged or reasonably suspected abuse to the police.
• There will never be any attempt to manage the legal implications of abuse within this voluntary fellowship.

We encourage parental responsibility for providing education and boundaries to maintain child safety. We will respect any boundaries parents have in place. We encourage open conversation and education in families around child safety.

This guidance is to be made available and shared freely by all who are partakers in this voluntary fellowship.

Any person known to be under investigation or convicted of an offence against children will not be permitted to participate in activities that may provide an opportunity for that person to offend against any child.

Workers

This guidance document will be made available to all current and any future Workers who are or become part of the group of Western Australian Workers. All Workers commencing and continuing in the Gospel Work in Western Australia will complete and maintain a current Working with Children Check while they are working in Western Australia. They will ensure that they are respectful and acknowledge the rights of children at all times.

We commit to having an informal discussion between Workers at least once a year to promote and discuss on-going awareness of the issues involved in these documents and as well as identifying any changes that may be required to be made to them.

This document updated 25^th April 2021.

Policy Statement

As a fellowship we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children (under the age of 18). All children have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children. We will ensure that a caring and appropriate response is initiated should abuse or suspicion of abuse occur.

This policy was written with a focus on children who come into contact with or are part of the fellowship.

The testimony of our fellowship is supported and maintained by an open and transparent policy.

Purpose

The safety, welfare and well-being of children is paramount; we believe children should never experience abuse of any kind.

• We are committed to conduct ourselves in a way that protects and safeguards children from any possible harm.
• We are committed to encourage and respect the healing of survivors of abuse within, or who were once part of, the fellowship.
• We have zero tolerance to abuse and will comply with reporting requirements of any suspicion of abuse, on reasonable grounds, to the authorities.
• We will not attempt to manage reported abuse cases within the fellowship.
• We encourage reporting of any suspected abuse, on reasonable grounds.
• To report in Victoria or Tasmania, contact the Police on 000 for emergencies or 131 444 for less urgent cases or visit a Police station in person.

We recognise parental responsibility for providing education and boundaries to maintain child safety. We will respect any boundaries parents have in place. We encourage open conversation and education in families around child safety.

We expect members of the fellowship to keep children safe.

This policy will be available to people participating in the fellowship.

Any person under investigation or convicted of an offence against a child will not be permitted to participate in activities that provide access to children.

We support a ministry that is itinerant and relies on the support of the fellowship to enable the Gospel to be shared.

All Workers have a responsibility to be aware of and support all aspects of a child-safe environment. They will undertake the following:

• Complete child-safe training every 3 years.
• Complete police checks every 3 years.
• Adhere to this policy and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.
• Ensure they are respectful of and acknowledge the rights of children, at all times.
• Complete appropriate training upon joining the staff in Victoria.

Governance

We will ensure biennial review of this policy or as required.

We will maintain record of who has completed this training.

All Workers will be required to complete the appropriate training and will be provided with the Workers’ Code of Conduct.

All Workers will be provided with Victoria regulations and information in regard to reporting requirements.

Workers’ Code of Conduct

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4.12.                         “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5.22.

Children (Under 18) are a vital part of our fellowship; all Workers are responsible for promoting their safety, protection and well-being.

I will:

• Adhere to the Child-Safe Policy and this Code of Conduct at all times.
• Be a positive role model to children and follow accepted guidelines relating to physical contact.
• Set clear boundaries about appropriate behaviour between children and myself and respect a child’s boundaries and personal space.
• Listen and respond appropriately to the views and concerns of children.
• Be transparent in my actions and whereabouts in relation to contact with children.
• Apply the “rule of two” – avoid spending time alone with children, ensuring parents know and support this boundary, and have educated their children about it.
• Wear publicly appropriate clothes in common areas during visits with families.
• Address inappropriate behaviour towards children.
• Ask for help if I am uncertain about child safety, or this Code of Conduct, or believe I have breached this Code.
• Report suspected child abuse and neglect to the authorities as soon as reasonably practicable.

I will not:

• Engage in behaviour or communication that causes children to feel uncomfortable, afraid or disempowered.
• Use language that is inappropriate, offensive, harassing, abusive, or sexually suggestive or provocative when speaking around children.
• Use any computer, mobile phone, video, or camera to exploit or harass children.
• Do things for children of a personal nature that they can do for themselves, such as assisting with toileting.
• Hit or physically assault children. This includes refraining from physical punishment or engaging in discipline.
• Display favouritism, develop inappropriate or sexual relationships, or indulge in any form of sexual contact with children.
• Engage in the grooming of children and/or families.
• Rely on my position or my reputation and that of the fellowship to protect me.
• Minimise or cover up a suspicion or allegation of abuse.
• Investigate a suspicion or allegation of abuse by questioning a child or individuals involved but rather defer the matter to authorities.
• Dismiss a child’s concerns or discourage disclosure.
• Allow any child to enter a bedroom where I am staying in the company of myself and/or co-worker.

Some examples of appropriate and/or acceptable behaviour:

• Handshakes, pats on the shoulder or back and shoulder-to-shoulder hugs.
• Holding hands while walking with small children.
• Sitting beside small children.
• Having discussions one-on-one with older children in publicly accessible areas.
• Encouraging children to respect personal spaces, i.e., knock on doors before entering.

Some examples of inappropriate and/or unacceptable behaviour:

• Developing intimate or special relationships with children.
• Advising children to keep communications or interactions secret.
• Holding a small child on the lap except in the presence of an adult member of the family. Lifting or placing a school age or older child on your lap.
• Wrestling, tickling, piggy-back rides or massaging.
• Remarks that relate to sexual attractiveness or development.
• Showing physical displays of affection in isolated areas of the premises such as bedrooms, bathrooms, private areas of the home or cars.
• Sharing a bedroom with a child.
• Inappropriate or lengthy hugs or kisses on the mouth.
• Touching buttocks, genital areas, chest, knees, thighs, or legs.

Some examples of environments where additional caution should be used:

• Camping environment
• Convention grounds
• Swimming areas
• Physical sporting events
• Workers staying with families without a co-worker.

In Conclusion:

• I recognise that children have the right to feel safe at all times.
• I recognise that child abuse has ongoing impacts and that the first step in healing for survivors starts with the telling of their experience.
• Should a child disclose abuse to me I will respond with compassion and care. I will not make promises to the child I cannot keep e.g., in relation to a child asking to keep matters confidential. Instead, I will advise the child, “I will do everything I can to keep you safe.”
• I will do all I can to make the child feel heard and supported.
• I will complete mandatory reporting as required.

Mandatory Reporting of CSA in Victoria.

In Victoria, all adults are mandatory reporters.

What must be reported:

A reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria against a child under the age of 16 years by another person of or over the age of 18 years. Any adult must disclose that information to a police officer as soon as it is practicable to do so, unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not doing so. Failure to disclose the information to police is a criminal offence.

Victoria and Tasmania Police Contact Numbers:
000 for emergency cases

131 444 for less urgent cases

Or visit a Police station in person.

Do not distribute this document without permission.