Safe Spaces for Worship and Work

These two policies are particularly relevant to making United Church ministries and workplaces safe for all who use them. Related information can also be found on the Safe Spaces in a Global Context page.

Creating Safe and Respectful Environments

The Creating Safe and Respectful Environments policy (under Downloads, below), has been created to ensure that safe and supportive environments are provided to everyone connected to the work of The United Church of Canada.

This policy applies to all communities of faith and congregations, and to the General Council and Regional Council offices, as well as other church organizations that choose to adopt this policy. Communities of faith or other affiliated entities may adopt this policy or develop one of their own. If a community of faith or other affiliated entity develops their own policy, procedures must be in keeping with The United Church of Canada’s policy so consistent application of process can be ensured. Where a community of faith or other affiliated entity has not developed their own policy, then, by default, this policy will be in place.

The United Church of Canada is committed to providing safe environments for work, worship, and study that are free from discrimination, harassment (including bullying), violence, and any form of sexual misconduct. These actions are contrary to God’s desire for life in all its fullness for all people and will not be tolerated by the United Church.

Implementation of the Creating Safe and Respectful Environments Policy in September 2024

Previously, there were two United Church of Canada policies covering the topics of discrimination, harassment (including bullying), violence, and sexual misconduct. In order to streamline processes, the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response policy and the Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence policy have now been combined into the Creating Safe and Respectful Environments policy. Where necessary, information that is unique or specific to sexual misconduct concerns is noted in the policy.

The September 2024 version set out to:

• Offer a shorter and more straight forward policy to ensure that all users, regardless of their background or position, understand their rights, responsibilities, and the consequences of violating the policy.
• Affirm the commitment The United Church of Canada has made to reduce incidents of discrimination, harassment, bullying, violence and sexual misconduct.
• Standardize reporting procedures to empower stakeholders to report incidents they experience or observe, knowing that steps will be taken in a transparent, fair, and consistent manner.

If you are at risk and in need of immediate assistance to ensure your personal safety, call 911 for police services.

If you are aware of behaviour that is inappropriate, but you are not in immediate danger, please contact Complaint Response for information about how to bring a complaint.

Complaint Response
1-800-268-3781, select option 7

If you wish to contact a consultant directly, a list of consultants who are trained and available to respond to you is available under Downloads, below.

For more information on this policy, please contact Office of Vocation at the General Council Office at 

Police Records Checks Policy

Under the Police Records Checks policy (under Downloads, below), as of July 1, 2017, police records checks, levels one and two, are required on entry (or re-entry) into the United Church of members of the order of ministry, designated lay ministers or candidates, and those seeking admission, readmission, or ministry partnership status. Thereafter, an online form is required to be completed by June 30 each year that certifies that the person has not been charged with a criminal offence in the preceding year. Ministry personnel are still required to comply with The Manual (J.7.2) provision that they notify the regional council and Office of Vocation immediately if they are charged with a criminal offence.

For more information on this policy and its implementation, please contact your Office of Vocation minister.