CLASH OF PRIORITIES The majority of ministry leaders in child-serving contexts are committed to enriching the lives of children and youth . These are wellmeaning , earnest individuals who are passionate about the health and well-being of children and youth served . The ministry ’ s mission might be child-centric , but its problem-solving paradigm is often organizationcentric : focused on the reputation , budget or smooth functioning of the organization . Contextualized , these ministry leaders believe that if the ministry is protected , children can be served . Put differently : when reputation is prioritized , children benefit . In reality , where child sexual abuse is concerned , children are sacrificed when the ministry ’ s reputation is prioritized .
Case study : organization-centric approach To illustrate , let ’ s deconstruct a stereotypical abuse allegation situation . A middle school boy is bullied by an upperclassman at a Christian school , and the bullying behavior includes a sexual component . Information about the bullying behavior is communicated to a coach . Already , there is opportunity for failure : if the coach views the behavior as simple bullying — rather than peer sexual abuse — the behavior might be addressed internally , with no report to supervisors , parents or appropriate authorities . If the bullying behavior is communicated to administrators and recognized as peer-to-peer sexual abuse , school leaders should immediately shift into a victim-centric approach . If the natural proclivity of these administrators is organization-centric , they will evaluate the circumstance through a lens or perspective designed to preserve the reputation of the school , rather than protection or support of the victimized child . When leaders have an organization-centric perspective , these questions are asked :
• How many individuals know about this already ?
• How many need to know ?
• How can this situation be contained ?
• What must we do to make this go away ?
• What will it take to placate the child ( and his or her parents )?
• What will keep them from speaking out and making the situation public , or exposing ?
• Do we need legal counsel to help contain this situation ?
Though well-meaning and generally committed to serving children , ministry leaders often fail in addressing child sexual abuse allegations . When child sexual abuse allegations are viewed from an organizationcentric perspective , the victimized child is left unsupported , and , more often than not , the ministry is unsuccessful in protecting its brand and reputation . Instead , ministry leaders are seen as callous , defensive and selfserving in their actions , which are commonly characterized as cover-up .
Contrast : victim-centric approach When a crisis involves child abuse , a victim-centric approach is necessary .
Let ’ s reconstruct the hypothetical above from a victim-centric perspective . Before a victim-centric approach is possible , staff members and volunteers must be trained to ( 1 ) understand and recognize child abuse and neglect
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