Article I: Purpose

The Arvada Vineyard is committed to caring for the vulnerable and does not tolerate harassment and abuse. The following policy defines harassment, including sexual harassment, and abuse at Arvada Vineyard. It names how the Arvada Vineyard responds to allegations of harassment and abuse.

Article II: Ethical and Moral Standards

The herein policy is subject to the values and teachings derived from the Arvada Vineyard’s understanding of scripture as determined by the Elders. This understanding of scripture informs the ethical and moral standards for the church community and shapes how the Elders interpret and apply this policy. In particular circumstances the Elders may permit exceptions to this policy, although exceptions must be informed by scripturally informed ethical and moral standards for the church community and arise from the Elders interpretation of definitions in Article III. Exceptions to this policy must be documented by the Elders and kept on file by the Elders.

 Article III: Definitions

• Harassment: Arvada Vineyard defines harassment as conduct with the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; has the purpose or effect of substantially and unreasonably interfering with an individual’s participation in church activities; or otherwise adversely affects an individual’s opportunities within the church community.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, epithets; slurs; jokes; pranks; innuendo; comments; written or graphic material; stereotyping; or other threatening, hostile, or intimidating acts based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

• Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: While all forms of harassment are prohibited, special attention should be paid to sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct. Arvada Vineyard defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where:
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of any individual’s participation in church activities or as a basis for decisions affecting the individual within the church community; or
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s participation in church activities or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. 

Other sexually oriented conduct, whether intended or not, that is unwelcome and has the effect of creating an environment that is hostile, offensive, intimidating, or humiliating to individuals within the church community may also constitute sexual harassment.

While it is not possible to list all those additional circumstances that may constitute sexual harassment, the following are examples of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment depending on the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the conduct and its pervasiveness:

• • Quid pro quo (this for that) harassment occurs when someone in a position of authority over another (e.g., a leader or supervisor) directly or indirectly demands sexual favors in exchange for some benefit (such as a leadership role, position of influence, etc.) or to avoid some detriment (such as removal from a role, demotion, etc.) within the church community.
  • Unwanted sexual advances, whether they involve physical touching or not.
  • Sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life, comments about an individual’s body, and comments about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess.
  • Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or cartoons; unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing up against the body, sexual gestures, or suggestive or insulting comments.
  • Inquiries into one’s sexual experiences and or discussion of one’s sexual activities.
     

• Abuse: Arvada Vineyard defines abuse as any action (or lack of action) that endangers or harms an individual’s physical, psychological, or emotional health, and well-being.
  This includes the following:
  • Physical Abuse: Any physical injury to an adult that is not accidental, such as hitting, slapping, pushing, choking, burning, or biting.
  • Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual activity, including activities such as fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, sexual assault, and exploitation.
  • Emotional Abuse: Emotional injury when the adult is subjected to behaviors that cause psychological trauma, such as constant criticism, belittling, persistent teasing, manipulation, intimidation, and humiliation.
  • Spiritual Abuse: The use of religious or spiritual beliefs to hurt, scare, or control another person. It can involve coercion, control, or exploitation in a spiritual context. Spiritual abuse can be verbal, emotional, and/or physical.

Pastoral abuse is abuse perpetrated by a pastor. 

Article IV: Complaint/Reporting Procedures of an Adult, by an Adult

Reporting Incidents

1. General Harassment and Abuse: Any individual who believes they have been subject to or witnessed harassment or abuse is encouraged to immediately report the incident to a Pastor or Elder, either through verbal communication or electronically. If the individual does not feel comfortable reporting to a Pastor or Elder, they may report to an Arvada Vineyard Board member. In the event that an individual does not feel comfortable reporting to the Board, they may go directly to Guidepost through Vineyard USA (email info@arvadavineyard.org to get contact information). Arvada Vineyard takes all reports seriously. All complaints/reports will be investigated promptly, thoroughly, and, to the extent possible, with regard for confidentiality.
2. Sexual Misconduct or Pastoral Abuse: Individuals with concerns or allegations of sexual misconduct and/or pastoral abuse are strongly encouraged to contact VineyardUSA@guidepostsolutions.com. Individuals are encouraged to report these concerns or allegations to individuals at the Arvada Vineyard designated to receive harassment and abuse claims.
   
   In 2022 Vineyard USA engaged a globally-recognized independent third-party organization — Guidepost Solutions — to assess how Vineyard USA and our churches handle leadership misconduct, moral failings, restoration processes, and allegations of abuse and misconduct.
   
   In March 2023, Vineyard USA asked Guidepost Solutions to set up this 24/7 confidential reporting mechanism so that Vineyard USA church attenders and staff can report any concerns or allegations of sexual misconduct or pastoral abuse.
   
   Any concern reported to this email will go directly to Guidepost Solutions and not to Vineyard USA or Arvada Vineyard. Individuals can report their concerns either with a true name or anonymously. Guidepost will not identify any reporter by name to Vineyard USA without the reporter's expressed consent.
   
   If individuals are reporting criminal activity, they are encouraged to also contact the appropriate local law enforcement agency. To be clear, reporting to Guidepost does not replace legal mandatory reporting required by state or local law enforcement.
   
   
3. Publicizing Reporting Mechanisms: Arvada Vineyard shall list on its website that it does not tolerate harassment or abuse. It shall list the names and contact information for individuals designated to receive harassment and abuse notifications; provide the VineyardUSA@guidepostsolutions.com for concerns or allegations of sexual misconduct or pastoral abuse; and link to vineyardusa.org/report, where the services provided to Vineyard USA church attenders and staff by Guidepost Solutions are described.

Protection Against Retaliation

All members of the church community should take special note that retaliation against an individual who has complained about abuse and harassment, including sexual harassment, and retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a harassment complaint will not be tolerated at Arvada Vineyard. Any suspected retaliation or intimidation should be reported immediately to one of the persons identified above.

Investigation Process for Incidents Reported to the Church

1. An alleged perpetrator may be immediately suspended from attending all church events until the investigation is completed.
2. An investigator without familial relation to any party involved in the incident will be selected by the Arvada Vineyard’s Board of Directors. This can include but is not limited to third-party investigators such as Vineyard Area Leaders, appropriate law enforcement officials (if the victim desires), and/or an appropriate private investigative firm. The investigation shall be documented and kept on file at the church for no less than 10 years.
3. While there is no mandate to report harassment or abuse between adults, and this decision (to report) is entirely up to the victim, Arvada Vineyard will always report to its Super Regional Leader when the alleged perpetrator is a staff member, elder, board member, or member of the church Leadership Team. Law enforcement will not be contacted unless desired by the victim.

• • Victim care is centered and prioritized throughout the investigation.
  • Arvada Vineyard will refrain from demanding or requiring either forgiveness or restoration of relationship between alleged perpetrators and victims. Instead, Arvada Vineyard will assist in creating the conditions wherein forgiveness (and restoration) are possible. These conditions are not limited to but include separation between alleged perpetrators and victims. This will mean that unless the victim desires and intends to leave the Arvada Vineyard, the perpetrator may be asked to leave until the victim is comfortable.
  • Arvada Vineyard holds that perpetrators of any kind of abuse or harassment ought to be held accountable and that accountability and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive. Resources will be provided to both perpetrator and victim in the pursuit of healing.

Article V: Complaint/Reporting Procedures Involving Minors

Allegations of harassment and abuse incidents involving minors are subject to the Child and Youth Protection Policy.