April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Take Inventory at Your House of Worship
What’s the first step to creating a safe environment for children in your care?
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and there’s no time like the present to make sure your most vulnerable members are protected. The first step may seem counterintuitive: It’s acknowledging the children in your care are not automatically safe. There is no guarantee they are or will remain free from the harm of a sexual predator or abuser.
Ironically, it’s this acknowledgement that leads to a safer environment for children at nonprofits and houses of worship.
Sexual abuse at houses of worship: How does it happen?
Sexual abuse is the leading cause of litigation against houses of worship. In an environment where people embrace faith and values, how is this possible? A few factors can help us make sense of this seeming contradiction:
Many houses of worship embrace the delusion that “it could never happen here.” Statistics and experience demonstrate this is not optimism, but ignorance.
The problem is widespread: One out of seven children will be abused before age 18. Houses of worship are not immune from this tragedy.
Nine out of 10 victims of abuse know their accuser.
Rates of abuse can be higher in faith-based communities because predators take advantage of the trusting environment.
What’s the way forward?
It begins by acknowledging the risk. We can’t fight what we won’t admit exists. From there, a trifecta of screening, training and policies can lead an organization to a hard-earned reputation as a place that truly cares about child and youth safety.
Resources for your house of worship and nonprofit
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We’re your partners in risk reduction
Ministry Pacific is here to help you succeed in protecting your children and youth and every aspect of your ministry. Whether you need to review your liability insurance or a referral to a specialist, we’re ready to be of service.