Approved 10/15/23

At Celo Friends Meeting, we strive to create a safe space for worship, business and
fellowship. Our Friends and attenders should not experience physical, sexual or
verbal abuse/assault, racism, sexism, bullying, or any form of harassment.

“If you see something, do something.”

If you witness something occuring that seems concerning to you, get someone and go stand next to the people. You can ask if everything is alright or simply witness the interaction. There is safety in numbers.

If anyone has experienced, witnessed, or heard of any unwanted behavior, the
following steps will be followed:

• A person reports the unwanted behavior to someone on Ministry and Care (M&C). The names of those serving on the committee can be shared by the clerks or are found on our website: celofriends.org)
• The M&C member will share the information immediately with the clerk of M&C.
• The reported issue will be discussed at the next M&C meeting or an urgent M&C meeting will be called. All matters are handled confidentiality.
• M&C will investigate and discern in the Spirit what next steps will take place.
• The steps may include:
  • Further communication with the reporter
  • Communication with the victim of the unwanted behavior (if not thesame person as the reporter)
  • Communication with the accused perpetrator
  • A report to police, child protective services, adult protective services, etc… as appropriate
  • Ways to spiritually support the victim
  • Ways to hold the perpetrator accountable and to prevent any further harm in our meeting
  • Ways to spiritually support the perpetrator
• Ministry and Care will continue to address the reported issue until there is no further action to take.

Throughout this process, we recognize that of God in every individual. We will
continue to hold both parties in the Light.