Why background checks aren’t enough….

Child molestation scandals in the life of the Church and the Jerry Sandusky prosecution in Pennsylvania have ignited a fire that has touched the life of many organizations. More and more people are becoming aware of the wide-spread nature of sexual abuse. Many people have come forward and have begun to tell their story of childhood sexual abuse, and the reaction of the public has been both strong and predictable. We want children to be safe. We want to know that, when we leave children in the care of adults, they will be returned healthy and whole.

Most organizations that serve children have already been required, by law, to perform background checks that are designed to identify prospective employees (or volunteers) who have a history of abusing or molesting children. This is a step in the right direction. We can, often, identify child predators by carefully examining their past behavior. Many people who have been identified as abusers or child molesters don’t want their past to be investigated. This probably keeps many people from applying for positions where they will be in regular contact with children. Background checks can help to prevent repeated cycles of abuse. Background checks can provide a buffer between children and adults who have a history of sexually inappropriate behavior. But we need to realize that background checks, alone, are not enough.

We’ve all heard horror stories about men and women who molested dozens of children before they were caught. Pedophiles speak of the fact that they have strong, irresistible desires. Statistics indicate that over 90% of convicted pedophiles will be arrested for the same offense again, and that many pedophiles (identified, or not) will sexually abuse more than 100 children during their lifetime. Background checks only identify those who have an incident of child molestation written on their public record. But we also need to remember that every child predator whose public record reveals a known incident of child abuse or molestation was “caught” a first time. And, before that first offense was publicly recorded, the predator flew under the radar.

Churches and other organizations need to keep that truth in mind. Churches and other organizations that use background checks as the sole means of protecting children from sexual predators need to realize that their approach is still lacking. What’s needed is a more comprehensive approach. What’s needed is a carefully-balanced combination of repeated background checks, and a comprehensive set of written and enforced child protection policies that guide the entire life of the organization.

Churches and organizations will want to be sure to include the following things in their Child Protection Policy:

• Background checks must be both emphasized and required;
• Drop-off and pick-up policies should be both clear and enforced; so that, children are never left unsupervised in the facility;
• Open door policies should give staff members and supervisors the right to visit and observe all programs and activities;
• One-on-one contact between adults and children should not be permitted;
• Physical punishment and humiliation are never appropriate;
• Romantic relationships between adults and children/youth are forbidden;
• Direct, electronic communication between adults and the children/youth is inappropriate. Communication should be directed toward parents/guardians. Contact with youth/children through social media and extending “friend requests” – or accepting “friend requests” from youth/children – is never inappropriate;
• Photographs of children/youth participating in organizational activities should never be electronically posted without parent/guardian consent;
• Children/youth should never be “tagged” in photographs that are posted in public forums and used for organizational purposes;
• Any suspected crimes against minors should be reported to the police, and a clearly written and detailed report of the incident should be maintained.

Background checks continue to be an important way to protect children. But churches and other organizations that use background checks as the sole means of protecting children from sexual predators need to realize that their approach is still lacking. What’s needed is a far more comprehensive approach. What’s needed is a carefully balanced combination of repeated background checks, and a comprehensive set of written and enforced child protection policies that guide the entire life of the organization.

Chrys