CRCI

Child Safety Standards

Council of Reformed Churches of India (CRCI) is committed to the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every child connected with our churches, training, events, and digital services, including the CRCI Connect mobile app.

Effective date: 16 October 2026
Public URL: https://crcindia.org/child-safety

1. Our commitment

CRCI does not tolerate child abuse, exploitation, neglect, or any form of harm. All pastors, leaders, staff, volunteers, members, and app users must protect children and report concerns promptly.

  • Children have the right to be safe in church, home, events, and online spaces.
  • Adults are responsible for creating safe environments and modelling godly care.
  • Concerns are taken seriously, documented, and acted on without delay.

2. Who is a child

For these standards, a child means any person under 18 years of age.

3. Scope

These standards apply to:

  • All CRCI churches, presbyteries, dioceses, and Synod ministries
  • CRCI events, training, camps, and gatherings
  • The CRCI Connect app, member portal, websites, and related digital services
  • Anyone acting on behalf of CRCI in person or online

4. Standards of conduct

Everyone covered by these standards must:

  • Treat every child with respect, care, and dignity
  • Avoid being alone with a child in a private or closed setting whenever possible
  • Use appropriate language; never use sexual, abusive, or degrading speech
  • Never hit, threaten, intimidate, or humiliate a child
  • Never engage in sexual contact, grooming, or any sexualised behaviour with a child
  • Never request, produce, share, or store child sexual abuse material
  • Never use CRCI platforms to contact a child for private or inappropriate purposes
  • Respect privacy when photographing or publishing images of children; obtain proper consent from a parent or legal guardian
  • Report suspected abuse or policy breaches immediately through the channels below

5. CRCI Connect app and digital services

CRCI Connect and related services are intended for authorised adult members, leaders, and approved users. They are not designed as social networks for children.

  • Accounts are for verified adult members and authorised roles unless CRCI expressly provides a supervised child-related feature.
  • Users must not create profiles, post content, or message others in ways that involve or endanger children.
  • Users must not upload images or documents that exploit, sexualise, or harm children.
  • Marriage register, membership, and identity features must never be used to conceal abuse or to facilitate contact that harms a child.
  • CRCI may suspend accounts, remove content, and report illegal activity to authorities when child safety is at risk.

6. Zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material

CRCI prohibits any creation, possession, sharing, or solicitation of child sexual abuse material through our ministries, events, websites, or apps. Such content will be removed, accounts may be terminated, and matters may be reported to law enforcement and relevant platforms.

7. Reporting concerns

If you suspect a child is in danger, contact local emergency services first.

Then report to CRCI as soon as possible:

Please include:

  • What happened, when, and where (as known)
  • Names or roles of people involved (if known)
  • Any immediate risk to a child
  • Your contact details so CRCI can follow up

Good-faith reports are encouraged. Retaliation against a person who reports a genuine child-safety concern is not permitted.

8. How CRCI responds

  • Prioritise the safety of the child
  • Record and review the report promptly
  • Restrict access or suspend accounts when needed
  • Inform parents or legal guardians when appropriate and lawful
  • Cooperate with police, child-protection authorities, and courts as required
  • Take disciplinary action under CRCI governance where misconduct is established

9. Leaders, staff, and volunteers

People serving with children or with access to child-related records must follow these standards, complete any required safeguarding orientation, and report conflicts of interest or allegations about themselves or others without delay.

10. Data and privacy

Child-related personal data, if processed, is handled under our Privacy Policy and only for legitimate ministry, safeguarding, or legal purposes. App users should also review our Terms of Service.

11. Updates

CRCI may update these Child Safety Standards from time to time. The current version will always be published at https://crcindia.org/child-safety. Continued use of CRCI services after an update means you accept the revised standards.

12. Contact

Council of Reformed Churches of India (CRCI)
Email: info@crcindia.org
Web: https://crcindia.org