Thank you for choosing GIFR!

You will be redirected to our secure payment platform to finish the checkout process. All prices displayed are in USD. Upon completing your order, be sure to return to your account on gifrinc.com. Please press “Continue” to proceed.

If you are buying more than one seat for a training, you will be able to assign the training to your intended learners by hovering over “My Account” on the top right corner and clicking on “My Account” and then clicking on “Learners”.

On Demand Trainings

Browse All Trainings

Creating Sexually Safer Congregations

US$0 Regular Price

US$0 GIFR Member Price


New to GIFR? Welcome! Create your account by clicking here. If you already have an account, please log in to proceed.

CE Credits: 1 Credits
Length: 1 Hour
Level: Introductory
CE Eligibility: APA, ASWB ACE, ANCC, NAADAC, CPA, NYSED
Training Style: Video
Category: GIFR Membership Exclusive (NEARI Series)
Intended Audience: Mental Health, Correctional, and Legal Professionals

Training Description
A prevention plan for sexual abuse within congregations is necessary to create a safe environment. This training will review how to create a prevention plan which includes a code of conduct that details what behavior is and is not allowed within the congregation, as well as how to report abuse. Having a prevention plan will assist a congregation in being proactive should sexual abuse take place, as well as to use past violations involving sexual misbehavior as learning experiences.
Trainer Biography
Debra W. Haffner, MPH, MDiv is Co-founder and President of Religious Institute, Inc. A sexologist and ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, she is the endorsed community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, Connecticut. In collaboration with the New England Adolescent Research Institute (NEARI), Rev. Haffner developed a course entitled Balancing Acts that is designed to train ministers and other religious professionals in how to keep children and youth safe from sexual abuse. She works frequently with congregations who are struggling with including sex offenders in their congregations, and she addresses the concerns faith communities face when discerning how to discern appropriate involvement for these individuals. It suggests the formation of a "limited access agreement" to determine what activities the individual may participate in and suggests rules and guidelines to prevent the occurrence of future abuse.
Learning Objectives
This training is designed to help you:
  • Develop a prevention plan to prevent a sexual abuse crisis within congregations
  • List appropriate and inappropriate behaviors within the congregation to avoid a crisis
  • Build an open community where past violations are used as learning experiences

1 Sponsorship: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc is approved by the American Psychological Association, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, and Canadian Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education trainings. Global Institute of Forensic Research (GIFR) has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education provider, ACEP No. 6711. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. GIFR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. The American Nurses Credentialing Center accepts Continuing Education Credit sponsored by the American Psychological Association. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc (provider #1371) is also approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ACE provider approval period: 6/8/2022-6/8/2025. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
2 Refund/Cancellation Policy: If you wish to request a refund on account of technical difficulties, please contact [email protected].
3 Commercial Supports: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc reports no conflicts of interest in the development and sponsorship of this training. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc receives no commercial support for its Continuing Education programs or from its presenters.

Note 1: The CPA's approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA's approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider's CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.

Engaging Bystanders in Sexual Violence Prevention Ancient Ethics for Today’s Healers