eGuide Archives: Screening Volunteers
Screening Volunteers Recently, well-publicized cases of molestation have involved clergy (see eGuide Volume 1, Issue 13), day care workers (see eGuide Volume 1, Issue 17), teachers (see eGuide Volume 1, Issue 7), and leaders of clubs for children. Parents are beginning to wonder who they can trust. More and more pastors and parishioners are becoming trained to recognize the child molester's tactics. Other groups can help decrease the chances of becoming "hunting grounds" for child molesters by following the church examples. Security Steps Educate participants or the congregation so they can understand and deal with difficult issues that are frequently shrouded in silence. Acknowledge that the crimes of incest, molestation and family violence do occur in "nice" towns and all congregations. Talk about the reality and rob a potential molester of his most powerful weapon—silence. Direct education specifically to parents. Encourage them to go with their child to the bathroom. Explain why there are rules about who is allowed to drop off or pick up a child from a Sunday school class or other group rather than just sending the child down the hall alone. Coaches and teachers should not be left waiting for a parent to pick up a child who can not be left alone after practice or class. Remind them that, while your group is doing all it can to make itself a place of safety for children, they also should be watching for suspicious situations. Anyone who is going to work with children should be screened. Ask for a list of those who have known them a long time (more than 5 years), family, and other churches or groups they have served in a similar capacity. Be honest about your reasons for asking. Those who are really concerned about children's safety and wellness will support across-the-board screening. This screening process needs to include fingerprints and criminal background checks. You need to require a photo ID to verify exact spelling of names and addresses. If you are a large congregation or organization, there are outside groups that will do this for you. Smaller organizations can have volunteers complete the criminal background check and child abuses clearances on their own with the results sent to the organization. Most police departments offer fingerprinting services. Implement smart policy. For example, always have more than one teacher in a room, more than one leader for a group. Discourage anyone but parents from dropping off and picking up children. Never leave a child alone because the ride home has not come yet. Train volunteers to be aware of warning signs. Ushers should keep track of who leaves the sanctuary during worship, and someone should check on hallways. Gina Halvorson, director of children's ministries at safety-conscious Scottsdale Bible Church, Scottsdale, Arizona, says they protect the children in their nurseries by using "child-safe tags". As the parent signs the child into the nursery, he is given a tag with a number on it. The child has the same number pinned to his clothing. To pick up a child the adult must show the tag. Teach children about "good touches" and "bad touches." Many religiously-oriented persons are concerned about public education handling these matters. Take the initiative and teach the children while affirming the importance of love and trust in a family and stressing that sexual abuse is not the norm. (see eGuide Volume 1, Issue 3) Ivan Berickman, who has spoken to many churches and PTA's on the subject of child sexual abuse, says, "Constantly warning children about the dangers can make them overly fearful. Let adults be fearful for them. There's reason to fear. After speaking to PTA groups, no matter how remote the school district, a principal or superintendent always came to me afterward and said 'We had to dismiss a certain man for this reason...' In most cases they didn't charge the man. He just moved on. This happens in many churches, too. Offenders are not charged, and they move on and abuse again." When It Does Happen  When a case of sexual abuse is discovered in a closely knit group such as a children's club or church, it can easily destroy the roots of unity and community. Regardless of the difficulties, confrontation is not enough to stop abuse. When confronted but not charged, abusers simply go on to the next organization and another child.The abuse can only be stopped by reporting and therapy. This can be especially difficult when a family is dependent on the abuser for income. Be prepared to help the family. In addition to feeling isolated they may experience the actual loss of their home, divorce, and severe emotional problems. By working together those who have chosen to become part of a small community in church, service clubs, etc. can help make that community a safer place for children. Reminder of the week: Criminal background checks and child abuse clearances are a necessary part of the volunteer screening process, but education is just as important. Policies and screening procedures need to be reviewed with volunteers, parents and organizational leadership periodically. The time to do this is now, as you begin planning Vacation Bible School, summer camp, and before Sunday School teachers, coaches, or scout leaders are recruited for the new school year. |
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