Let’s Protect Our Children

Children are a gift and a blessing, and they’re also the most vulnerable population. With so many news stories and lawsuits involving sexual abuse scandals—especially in environments like youth organizations, gone are the days where anyone should be saying, “This wouldn’t happen here.”

The Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention reports that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will experience sexual abuse before turning 18, with an estimated 12% of such cases being reported. Furthermore, 3-5% of men meet the diagnostic criteria for pedophilia. Predators often look for opportunities, and it’s alarming that over 90% of child abusers are known to the victim, either as acquaintances or family members. Describing this as a serious issue that requires urgent attention would be an understatement.

Regardless of the type of youth organization you operate—be it a daycare, school, church, or extracurricular program like scout troops or gymnastics—it’s essential to uphold the highest standards for protecting these vulnerable children. Since these environments typically welcome everyone and often depend on volunteers to fulfill their mission, the associated risks are significant.

Parents should feel assured that when they drop off their child, they are in a safe environment where all reasonable measures have been taken to ensure their well-being and security. We must take these matters seriously and keep them front of mind. Protecting our children is the primary motive but in so doing you are establishing a culture to allow the youth organization to fulfill its operational mission and goals by avoiding reputational, financial and legal harm. Therefore, adopting stringent safeguards is critical.

Create a Child Protection Policy

All youth organizations should adopt a Child Protection Policy. At a minimum, that policy should include the following:

1. Screen Workers. All workers should submit to a thorough background check, including a check of the National Sex Offender Registry. Those checks should be rerun every 3-5 years and workers should be required to report any criminal charges immediately. Workers should also be required to provide at least two non-family references and the ministry should ensure it contacts those references.
2. 6-Month Rule. Require volunteers to show a substantial period (3-6 months) of regular engagement with the ministry before volunteering with youth. This allows you to get to know them better to ensure they can be trusted.
3. 2 Adult Rule. Never allow an adult to be alone with a child. Two or more adults  should always be present.
4. Social Media/Electronic Communication. A worker should never communicate electronically with a child without including the child’s parent or guardian.
5. Visible Youth Spaces. Youth spaces should be visible. Glass windows in such spaces are helpful. If that is not practical or is cost-prohibitive, keep doors open and utilize a see-through gate for security as a viable alternative.
6. Check-In Check-Out System. For younger minors, incorporate a system to ensure you are releasing the child to the proper parent or guardian. This can include a ticketing or similar electronic system so that the parent or guardian must provide an identifier to pick up the child.
7. Error on the Side of Caution. If a worker engages in substantiated concerning behavior, don’t give them a second chance when it comes to working with minors.

Educate and Train Workers

Once a child protection policy has been established, workers need to be educated and trained. Workers should come away with a heightened awareness of the threats to children and should also have a general knowledge of how to spot predatory behavior. Additionally, workers should receive child protection policy training to ensure they abide by and enforce the policy to the greatest extent possible.

Enforce Consistently

Finally, after establishing the child protection policy and providing thorough education and training for staff, it is crucial for the organization to enforce the policy consistently. Not adhering to its own guidelines can result in legal repercussions and, more importantly, put another child at risk. By applying the policy consistently, you can safeguard children and support your youth organization in achieving its mission and objectives.

Kyle McCutcheon is an Attorney at Provident Law. His practice areas include business, real estate, and estate planning as well as advising church and nonprofit tax-exempt organizations. McCutcheon is licensed to practice law in Arizona and Missouri, and he can be reached at kyle.mccutcheon@ProvidentLawyers.com or at 480-388-3343.