Table of Contents
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF SEXUAL ABUSE RISK: THE ROLE OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY 4
The ongoing cycle of sexual abuse begins with a victimized child, leading to civil litigation, followed by a settlement or jury verdict.
Unfortunately, this cycle is seldom broken by criminal penalties or civil judgments: sexual abusers are not deterred by stiffening criminal penalties, and the abuser is not the one who pays settlement amounts or monetary damages.
The cycle is broken by effective preventative protocols in the home and within child-serving programs— including church and ministry programs.
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
PREVENTION: THE ONLY LASTING SOLUTION 7
When I began serving churches through insurance nearly 30 years ago, I expected to deal with hail-damaged roofs and liability claims.
What I did not expect was the number of abuse cases. By Amanda Rae Ostrowski, CIC, CRM
IT’ S TIME TO RIGHT THE SHIP 8
Why churches must stand in the gap to break the cycle of child sexual abuse— and how insurance agents and carriers can help them stand strong
Featuring Kurt Hetherington, CIC, CRM, CPIA
PREVENTION STARTS WITH EDUCATION 9
Few risks carry the potential for reputational and operational damage as swiftly and severely as allegations of abuse— especially when mishandled.
Education is the foundation of any effective abuse prevention strategy. By Brian Gleason, MBA
MORE COUNSEL + EXPERTISE + GOOD FAITH 10
Churches, as trusted community institutions, must acknowledge both the spiritual and organizational responsibility to prevent abuse. The insurance industry, which provides financial and operational safeguards for churches, therefore has a direct role in addressing this issue.
By Fritz M. Hahn
WHAT MAKES A SOLID CHILD PROTECTION POLICY? 11
It seems we are continually in the midst of a sexual abuse crisis.
Then and now, the No. 1 recommendation to churches for protecting children and youth is the implementation of a child protection policy.
By Denise DesCombes & Becky Moyer
GOING A REASONABLE STEP FURTHER 12
How churches can better support parents and guardians in their own child sexual abuse prevention efforts
Featuring Andrew Shockey, ARM, AIS
CULTIVATING CULTURES OF GOODNESS IN CHURCHES 13
When we wrestle over insurance rates, children’ s ministry check-in / out procedures, and logging accurate timesheets, it can seem that we are wasting time we should be spending in the mission field.
Friend, I urge you, consider how each of these activities constitute worship and contribute to our witness before a watching world.
By Jeff Dalrymple churchexecutive. com CHURCH EXECUTIVE 3