Welcome
Become an ECAP Member and get the support you need to establish an effective Child Protection Program.
The Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention was created in 2019 to provide awareness, accreditation, and resources in order to help Christian organizations that serve kids protect the vulnerable in ministry.
Over several years, ECAP developed a set of Child Safety Standards which were drafted by a committee of professionals and experts in the field of risk management and abuse prevention, as well as a number of frontline practitioners who serve children. The standards were then reviewed by a team of attorneys with related professional experience.
These standards now serve as the basis for our Accreditation Program, which will engage Christian ministries in a process of accreditation and renewal. Accreditation is an independent process of compliance verification which determines if an organization meets defined standards. ECAP awards accreditation to ministries that demonstrate compliance to Child Safety Standards through an assessment and audit process.
ECAP is partnering with Christian Youth Theater to create safe ministries environments for kids! Have your local chapter become an ECAP Member, and join us in protecting the next generation.
THE PROBLEM OF ABUSE
3
One in three girls will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
7
One in seven boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
42
42% of women were younger than 17 at the time of their first rape victimization.
28
28% of men were age 10 or younger at the time of their first rape victimization.
12
12% of churchgoers know someone at their church who who has experienced rape or an attempted rape.
Learn more about the problem of abuse and why ECAP was founded to try to help churches change these disturbing facts.
What is an ECAP Member?
ECAP Members are part of the ECAP community in the process of developing a Child Safety Program that is compliant with ECAP Child Safety Standards. Members are granted full access to the ECAP Community (or Member) Portal which includes member-only Resources, Affiliate offers, and the ECAP Forum where community members (candidates, affiliates, accredited members, and staff) exchange methods, best practices, and support.
There are three membership tiers to fit your ministry’s unique needs. We also have a membership type specifically for church plants.
Why should I become an ECAP member?
Developing an ECAP-compliant Child Program is a lot of work, and many people don’t know where to start. When you become an ECAP Member, you immediately gain access to the ECAP Community and resources that help you on your way to full accreditation.
Other benefits include:
- Access to a shared network of like-minded ministries
- Discounted products and services from Affiliate organizations such as legal expertise, training providers, insurance, etc.
- Access to exclusive resources for your Child Safety Program
- Access to training events from experts in the field
- Discounted admission to ECAP events
The earlier you join ECAP, the sooner our affiliates, resources, and community are available to you!
How can I decide if joining ECAP is the right decision?
ECAP recommends you conduct an initial assessment, where you ask yourself a series of essential questions that will bring your program “into focus” – to understand how effective your Child Protection Program is now. Most ministries’ initial assessment reveals significant deficiencies. These deficiencies are your reason or justification to invest in your ministry’s Child Protection Program by joining ECAP as a Member. Work with your leadership to road-map your pathway toward full compliance.
Member Benefits
Guidance from ECAP staff
Get individualized advice and consultation on building your Child Protection Program.
Exclusive Child Safety Resources
Delve into a treasure trove of resources to fortify your knowledge and practices.
Discounted Offerings from Affiliate Providers
Access exclusive deals on products and services from trusted organizations.
Empowerment through Unity
Forge connections with ministries sharing your mission to safeguard children.
Not sure where to start?
Check out our Checklists page! We have self-guided checklists that correspond to each of the 5 ECAP standards to help you determine where you should focus your work in optimizing your ministry’s child safety measures.
See how your Child Protection Policy measures up.
With an Initial Assessment, ECAP staff will assess your current Child Safety Program against the ECAP Standards.
Receive an unbiased, confidential, and itemized assessment of where your current child safety measures need improvement and where they are already in compliance with our standards.
Click here to learn more and to purchase.
Resources for Christian Youth Theatre:
Screening
STAY IN THE LOOP ON CHILD SAFETY WITH THE ECAP NEWSLETTER!
