Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Forum
Protecting children in ministry
The mission of any religious organization is to minister to its congregation in a safe and nurturing environment . One of the most important aspects of this mission should be protecting the most vulnerable of their flock .
Unfortunately , child sexual abuse within religious organizations is still a grim reality , yet many ministries fall short of the necessary practices needed to safeguard their young parishioners .
Why do they fall short ? There can be multiple answers to this question . One is the misconception that a person who would do something so heinous would be a stranger to the congregation and to
the child . The truth is , among the cases of child sexual abuse reported to law enforcement , 93 % involve a perpetrator that the child knows and trusts , such as a relative , care provider , family friend , coach , student leader , or ministry volunteer , according to Rape , Abuse & Incest National Network ( RAINN ). We perform background checks , so our programs are safe , is another dangerous misconception . While background checks are important , less than 10 % of sexual abusers will ever see a courtroom and only 3 % will be convicted . This means roughly 97 % of sexual abusers will pass a simple background check . Finally , one of the most common reasons religious organizations fall short of the needed safeguards to protect children in their ministry is a lack of knowledge . It ' s important to understand that an effective child sexual abuse prevention program consists of key elements that work in concert to build barriers that filter out possible perpetrators and creates a warning system within the organization that can help detect dangerous behavior . These key elements include :
Support from ministry leadership Everyone in the organization — from the most senior leader to the newest volunteer — is vital to the success of the program . When ministry leadership supports the various measures and protocols needed , it demonstrates their commitment to protecting children from sexual abuse .
Documented policies and procedures Having written policies and procedures helps to communicate a consistent message , especially when there are multiple locations or ministry programs . These policies should include a prohibitive position statement , clear instructions on how to report suspected abuse , and detailed guidance on " grooming ," a process used by perpetrators to gain trust from both the child and other adults .
Documented employee and volunteer training Training should be provided to all congregants who work with children — from the youth minister to the nursery volunteer — when hired and annually thereafter . It should include a review of the written practices that have been implemented , the grooming process , reporting procedures , and what are considered inappropriate interactions with youth .
Specific training for hiring managers In addition to receiving the general training mentioned above , anyone who hires employees or volunteers should also receive training on elements placed in the hiring process to weed out possible abusers , which include reviewing the employment / volunteer application , completing reference checks , and conducting thorough interviews with questions that elicit high-risk responses .
Criminal background checks As mentioned , background checks should not be the only part of a child sexual abuse prevention program , yet it ’ s still an important measure . Background checks should be conducted in accordance with state law and should be as comprehensive as possible . Be sure to reference the application and ensure any past addresses are considered when running a background check . It ' s possible that some ministries have already implemented aspects of the various measures needed to protect children , yet they might need additional support . This support is why ministry leaders should be mindful of who they partner with when choosing an insurance broker or carrier . As important as the insurance policy itself , the knowledge and available resources provided by an experienced broker or carrier can be invaluable .
The information and suggestions presented by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts . They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business , preventing workplace accidents , or complying with any safety related , or other laws or regulations . You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies . churchexecutive . com CHURCH EXECUTIVE 11