Safe Spaces in a Global Context

The United Church of Canada believes all people are created in God’s image. God desires for all people respect, care, protection, and empowerment as well as freedom from abuse and injustice. The United Church of Canada commits to working toward environments of mutual respect, care, protection, and empowerment that are free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, violence, and abuse.

The United Church collaborates with global partners to implement global programs and projects in relationships of trust, mutual accountability, and respect. The church promotes accountable and transparent ways of working with all stakeholders, encouraging staff, volunteers, delegates, elected members, and partners to address stakeholder concerns quickly and effectively so issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the concerned persons and communities.

There may be occasions when a complaint of harassment, violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse must be reported. When a complaint is made by or about a United Church of Canada employee, volunteer, delegate, or elected member, The United Church of Canada will act to receive, investigate, and resolve the complaint in a fair, appropriate, and timely manner, collaborating with global partners on the ground.

More information can be found in the Code of Conduct and the Summary of United Church Policies for Working in a Global Context.

How to Submit a Complaint

Maintaining confidentiality for complainants is critical and a priority for The United Church of Canada.

Complaints that involve a United Church of Canada employee, volunteer, delegate, or elected member can be submitted in the following ways:

• E-mail: 
  This confidential e-mail is monitored by a United Church of Canada employee who will ensure the complaint is responded to.
• Phone: 1-800-268-3781 or 416-231-5931, ext. 006
• Mail: 
  Human Resources Department/Complaints
  The United Church of Canada
  3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 200
  Toronto, ON, M8X 2Y4 Canada

Once the complaint has been received and reviewed, the sender will receive confirmation that the complaint is being processed as per the standards outlined by the guiding policy.

The United Church of Canada is committed to sharing the results of investigations with the complainant.