Safeguarding
Our Commitment To Safeguarding
Safeguarding within The Sword of the Spirit North American Region is a commitment to helping our member communities protect the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of children and youth through clear standards, training, and accountability.
On this page you’ll find:
SAFEGUARDING HANDBOOK template: The most recent version of the Region’s purposed Safeguarding Handbook for member community customization and implementation.
DIRECTIVE FOR FORMATION OF THE REGIONAL REVIEW BOARD: Details the structure, duties, and operational procedures for the International Child Protection Committee (ICPC) and Regional Independent Safeguarding Review Boards (RISRB). It outlines protocols for policy compliance, monitoring allegations, and responding to safeguarding concerns or leadership negligence.
The Role of the RISRBs in Preventing Abuse: Outlines specific prevention standards, including screening and background checks for leaders and volunteers, mandatory foundational and ongoing safeguarding training, code of conduct requirements, transfer protocols, and annual safeguarding reports.
Together, these resources equip regional community leaders, parents, and volunteers to create safe, transparent, and trustworthy programs.
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This Safeguarding Handbook template is an easy-to-use tool. Each chapter includes Safeguarding Policies and Standards that can be used when they are needed.
This Handbook has four chapters, which are tailored to different types of members in the community. Some chapters are tailored for all members, while others are designed specifically to help leaders in the community and our safeguarding officers.
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Protecting the emotional, physical, and spiritual development and safety of children and youth is an overriding priority for our life and mission in the Sword of the Spirit and in each member community.
Relationships between adults and minors are a foundation of Christian community because we are like a family.
A safeguarding policy only works if it is implemented. Therefore, our communities will strive to uphold the included safeguarding criteria.
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Our resources help explain how our communities safeguard children and youth through clear policies, responsible officers, and accountable structures. It also includes the roles and responsibilities of Child Safeguarding Officers as well as Independent Review Boards and an International Child Protection Committee established for our communites and region.
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The use of Independent Safeguarding Review Boards (“ISRB”) is a best practice in the area of safeguarding. In the North American Region of SOS, the region has chosen to establish a regional Independent Safeguarding Review Board, which is a consultative body composed of SOS members and non-SOS professionals.
ISRBs monitor the safeguarding efforts of SOS communities and their responses to allegations of sexual abuse of minors and egregious or repeated boundary violations and allegations of cover-up or negligent response practices by senior coordinators or other community leaders.
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ISRB’s are tasked with the following responsibilities:
Following a notification of an allegation, the ISRB will provide recommendations regarding a community’s response to the safeguarding concern raised.
Provides recommendations to the Regional President and to the Coordinators and Women’s Council of SOS communities with respect to any aspects of our safeguarding policies.
ISRB’s will also receive and review annual reports from the communities regarding safeguarding offenses and abuse prevention efforts.
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When addressing any safeguarding concerns, it is critical that community members and leaders take a process approach and that we have and follow standardized, consistent processes driven by formal, written policies and protocols relevant with local laws.
Resources
Regional Independent Safeguarding Review Board
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The Regional Independent Safeguarding Review Board (RISRB) serves as an independent consultative body to oversee compliance with safeguarding policies, advise on prevention, and guide responses to abuse allegations across the region. It ensures local community leaders have access to unbiased, expert counsel on prevention, civil laws, reporting expectations, and cultural considerations.
In short, the RISRB is a resource for safeguarding needs of the member communities of the North American Region.
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Advisory on Allegations: Advises the region on proper pastoral and disciplinary actions when allegations of abuse have been made or substantiated against a member.
Advisory on Unsubstantiated Allegations: Advises on proper actions when allegations remain unsubstantiated, particularly when civil authorities do not investigate, decline to file charges, or do not rule definitively.
Policy Review & Plan Oversight: Reviews and advises the region on its child protection policies and procedures, including reviewing implemented Intervention Plans and Safety Plans for members.
Compliance Monitoring: Monitors each member community within the region to ensure strict adherence to protocols for both abuse prevention and allegation responses.
Notification of Serious Offences: Receives prompt notification whenever allegations arise involving child sexual abuse, egregious or repeated boundary violations, peer-to-peer sexual abuse, or leadership cover-up and negligence.
Investigation Guidance: Recommends whether an investigation is needed, advises on temporary precautionary measures, and guides whether to commission internal investigators or independent external firms.
Annual Reporting: Facilitates annual reporting to the International Child Protection Committee (ICPC) regarding regional prevention efforts (screening, training) and summaries of procedures and outcomes for any allegations.
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Membership: The Review Board is comprised of at least five members, all of high integrity and judgment. The board includes individuals with expertise in the prevention of abuse and ensures gender diversity. Members of the Sword of the Spirit do not constitute a majority of the board.
Appointment: Members are appointed by the Regional President and endorsed by the North American Executive Council.
Terms: Review Board members serve 2 to 4-year terms.
Meetings: The board meets at least once per year with the Regional President and the Regional Safeguarding Policy Team Leader. Meetings may be conducted via conference call.
Training: The Regional President and the Review Board Chair ensure that members receive adequate training to fulfill their duties.
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Fr. Michael Murray
Board Chair
reviewboard@theswordofthespiritnar.org
Father Michael S. Murray, OSFS, serves as Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Review Board, grounding his leadership in over a decade of secondary school administration and extensive pastoral oversight.
Drawing on his administrative background in educational environments and his work in formation and ethics as Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center, Fr. Murray brings a steadfast commitment to institutional accountability, proactive abuse prevention, and the compassionate protection of all community members.
We work with Praesidium
Praesidium is a recognized leader in abuse prevention and risk management, partnering with organizations to create safe environments for youth and vulnerable populations. Partnering with them enables organizations like ours to proactively safeguard their communities through evidence-based safety standards.
Why We Partner with Praesidium
Proven Safety Framework: Built on over 30 years of research and legal analysis, Praesidium’s methodology utilizes the Praesidium Safety Equation to evaluate and strengthen institutional risk management.
Proactive Prevention Culture: Rather than simply reacting to incidents, Praesidium equips teams with the knowledge to recognize boundary violations, mitigate high-risk situations, and cultivate a continuous culture of safety.
National Accreditation Standards: Aligning with Praesidium demonstrates a commitment to meeting rigorous, national best practices in organizational protection.
How Praesidium Helps Protect Our Region
Risk Assessment & Auditing: Praesidium systematically evaluates organizational operations, policies, and environments to identify and eliminate potential risk areas before issues arise.
Comprehensive Staff & Volunteer Training: Through continuous education and specialized training modules, staff and community volunteers are trained to identify offender behaviors, establish safe boundaries, and report concerns immediately.
Screening & Best Practices: Praesidium assists in establishing strict background checking and screening protocols to ensure only trusted individuals serve in sensitive roles.
Structured Incident Response: By establishing clear, effective protocols for responding to policy violations or allegations, Praesidium ensures swift, transparent, and appropriate action to protect individuals and support the community.
