1. Our commitment

Freedom Center Academy exists for students. Their safety is not a program we run — it is a condition of everything else we do. Hearts of Compassion Ministries Inc. is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment in which every student is protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contracted staff, volunteers, board members, student teachers, and any other adult who has contact with students through the school — on campus, at school-sponsored events, on trips, and in online settings.

3. Screening and background checks

• All employees and volunteers who work with students must complete a criminal background check, including a national sex offender registry search, before beginning service.
• Background checks are repeated at least every three years, and immediately upon any change in role that increases contact with students.
• Applicants must provide references which we contact directly.
• Any applicant who declines to consent to a background check is not eligible to serve.

4. Two-adult rule and supervision

• No adult is alone with a student in a closed or unobservable setting.
• One-on-one meetings, tutoring, and counseling occur in rooms with a visible window or open door, or with a second adult present.
• Restroom, locker room, and changing areas are supervised consistent with the students' ages and with privacy protections.
• Off-campus trips require written parental consent, a defined supervision ratio, and a designated trip leader.

5. Appropriate and prohibited conduct

Expected of all adults:

• Treat students with respect, patience, and appropriate physical boundaries;
• Use language that builds up rather than demeans;
• Report concerns promptly under Section 7.

Prohibited for all adults:

• Any form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse;
• Corporal punishment;
• Private, undisclosed electronic communication with a student (text, social media, gaming platforms, or direct messaging);
• Transporting a student alone in a personal vehicle without written parental consent and administrative approval;
• Sharing personal contact details with students outside approved school channels;
• Photographing or recording students without authorization consistent with our media consent process.

6. Student-on-student conduct and bullying

Bullying, harassment, hazing, and sexual misconduct between students are prohibited. Reports are investigated promptly and documented, and may result in discipline up to and including expulsion. Retaliation against a student who reports in good faith is itself a violation of this policy.

7. Reporting — how to raise a concern

Anyone — student, parent, employee, volunteer, or member of the public — may report a concern. Reports may be made to:

• The Head of School, Elizabeth Jones Flowers — elizabeth@freedomcenteracademy.org, +1 (843) 251-6455; or
• Any member of the governing board, whose contact details are available from the school office on request.

Reports may be made anonymously. We will investigate every report we receive, to the extent an anonymous report allows.

8. Investigation and response

1. Reports are documented in writing within 24 hours.
2. The Head of School (or, if the Head of School is the subject of the report, the board chair) initiates an investigation and, where required, notifies DSS and law enforcement.
3. The accused adult is removed from student contact pending resolution.
4. We cooperate fully with law enforcement and DSS investigations.
5. Support is offered to the affected student and family.
6. A written outcome is provided to the reporter where appropriate, subject to confidentiality and personnel law.

9. Photo, video, and media consent

We obtain written parental consent before publishing any photograph or video that identifies a student. Parents may withdraw consent at any time. We do not publish identifying student information, full names alongside images, or campus locations in real time.

10. Recordkeeping and review

Safeguarding records are retained for at least seven years, or until the student reaches age 21, whichever is longer, and are kept confidential. This policy is reviewed annually by the board and updated as the law or our practices change.

11. Acknowledgment

All employees and volunteers sign a written acknowledgment of this policy and of their duty to report, before beginning service and each year thereafter.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026.