Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse Mel

Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse Mel Himes & Associates Insurance Agency, Inc

Why are we doing this? Your organization should have a mandate, both morally and legally, to provide a safe environment for children. Your organization should have specific guidelines for workers to follow. Few people understand the scope of child sexual abuse within our country. Our desires to make a positive difference in responding to this tragic problem.

The Shepherd’s Calling Acts 20: 28 – ‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God. ’

The Shepherd’s Calling 2 Timothy 1: 14 a – ‘Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. ’

Some Church Facts 1 in 4 will have a Property damage caused by the weather 1 in 5 will terminate an employee 1 in 7 will experience an injury to a child, member or guest that requires medical attention 1 in 8 will experience a theft 1 in 100 will experience an allegation of sexual misconduct

Some Church Facts There are over 300, 000 Houses of Worship in the USA 1 in 4 will have a Property damage caused by the weather 1 in 5 will terminate an employee 1 in 7 will experience an injury to a child, member or guest that requires medical attention 1 in 8 will experience a theft 1 in 100 will experience an allegation of sexual misconduct

Do you really Know Child sexual abuse knowledge inventory practical exercise What is child sexual abuse? Why should your organization respond to this concern?

Child Sexual Abuse Knowledge Inventory (True or False) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Child sexual abuse always involves physical contact with children. Most child molesters are male. Child molesters are usually strangers. Victims of sexual abuse suffer no long term effects. One out of five molesters begin their activity before age 18. Only a small percentage of victims are male. Most churches screen workers for potential molesters. Church leaders can not be held liable for child sexual abuse. Some child sexual abuse victims have won settlements of over $1, 000 from churches. A child molester who has experienced a religious conversion no longer presents a threat to children. Child sexual abuse is a criminal offense in all 50 states. A child molester may have over 500 victims in a lifetime. Churches have in the past been supportive of victims of child sexual abuse. F T F F F T T F

What is Child Sexual Abuse? “Any sexual activity with a child-whether in the home by a caretaker, in a day care situation, a foster/residential setting, or in any other setting, including on the street by a person unknown to the child. The abuser may be an adult, an adolescent, or another child, provided the child is four years older than the victim. ” It may be violent or non-violent. All child sexual abuse is an exploitation of a child’s vulnerability and powerlessness in which the abuser is fully responsible for the actions. It is criminal behavior that involves children in sexual behaviors for which they are not personally, socially, and developmentally ready. Child sexual abuse includes behaviors that involve touching and non-touching aspects.

Different Types of Behaviors Types of abuse that involve touching: l l Fondling Oral, genital, and anal penetration Intercourse Forcible rape Types of abuse that do not involve touching: l l l Verbal comments Pornographic videos Obscene phone calls Exhibitionism Allowing children to witness sexual activity

Child Abuse Statistics The full extent of child sexual abuse in our country is not known. 500, 000 to over 1. 5 million children are sexually abused each year. More cases go unreported. 27% of women, and 16% of men claimed to have experienced some form of child sexual victimization. Over 25% indicated this occurred before the age of 9 yrs old.

Child Abuse Statistics Child sexual abuse occurs in all demographic, racial, ethnic, socialeconomic, and religious groups. Strangers account for 5% of the abusers. Estimates indicate that when a known assailant commits the abuse, half of the time it is a father or stepfather, and the rest of the time it is a trusted adult who misuses his or her authority over children.

The Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Child sexual abuse robs children of their childhood and can potentially scar its young victims for life. Children can suffer significant pain from even a single abusive incident. Abuse can result in abnormal fears, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), aggressive behavior, sexual “acting out, ” depression, diffused sexual identity, poor self-esteem, and sexually transmitted disease. The degree of damage depends upon several factors including the intensity, duration, and frequency of the abuse. If the abuse is a known and trusted authority figure in the child’s life, the degree of impact increases dramatically. when committed by a ‘trusted’ leader in the organization often a child will have a profound and long term damaging effect.

The Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Child Outcome studies of adult survivors of child sexual abuse suggest the following affects: l l l l Sexual dysfunction Eating disorders Substance abuse Promiscuity Disassociation form emotions Possible perpetration of sexual abuse on others Lifelong religious confusion and deep feelings of enmity and the organization can occur.

The Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Church Crisis Litigation Media Coverage Damaged Families Shattered Trust Congregational Disunity Victimization of Children Financial Costs

The Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Child Community of Trust Ignorance of Facts Lack of Safeguards Number of Opportunities Easy Access for Volunteers Need for more volunteer workers to help with children and youth programs

Why are organizations more apt to be sued today than they were 20 years ago? Media Attention Statutes of Limitation New Theories of Legal Liability Personal Injury Number of Victims Mandatory Reporting of Abuse Support for Litigation Inadequate Response to Victims Your organization should do all it can to reduce risk. This risk reduction is for the benefit of the child, the worker, and your organization.

Understanding the Behavioral Profile of Molesters

The Profile of a Child Molester Over 80% of the time, the abuser is someone known to the victim Most abuse takes place within the context of an ongoing relationship The usual offender is between the ages of 20 -30 years old 20% of sex offenders begin their activity before the age of 18 yrs old Child abusers often are married and have children. If abuse occurs in your church, a respected member will most likely be the molester.

The Profile of a Child Molester Statistics of Guide. One ONLY 50% are Pastors and Staff 25% are Members and Volunteers 20% are other minors (under age 18) 5% are Strangers

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Selecting and Screening Workers Worker Screening: Six Month Rule – Members Only l Written Form l Release Statement l References l l Background Check Criminal l Motor Vehicle Record l

Selecting and Screening Workers Worker Screening: Background Checks l Any information indicating that a candidate poses a threat to others or has any prior history of physical or sexual abuse directed against another person will result in the immediate removal of the individual candidate from consideration. Check Florida Sexual Predators website l Check References provided by worker l Interview if Necessary l Train l

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Principles of Supervision

Adult to Child Ration 2 Weeks to 2 years 2 Years 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years and UP 1: 4 1: 6 1: 8 1: 12 1: 15

Supervision Two Person Rule is Recommended Restroom Procedures – Group at one time Water Fountain – Group at one time Teen Workers Minimum Age l Red Cross Baby Sitting Course l Screen – Interview l One Adult Rule l

Supervision Open Door Policy – Viewing Window Tracking System for Small Children Group Transportation Touching Rule – Above Shoulders Hugging l Kissing l Train ALL Workers

Supervision Factors As Risk increases, supervision should increases l As Isolation increases, the Risk increases l As Accountability decreases, the Risk increases l As imbalance of Power and Control increases the Risk increases

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Responding to Allegations Take Allegation Seriously Proper Follow Up Assure the Family as to Care and Support Media Response

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Implementing the Plan

What We Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse. Be Informed Enlist Key Leaders Draft Plan Worker Screening Worker Training Worker Supervision Worker Accountability Worker Awareness Worker Reporting Monitor Program Review Regularly

What We Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse. Reporting inappropriate conduct: l l The worker must report any inappropriate conduct immediately to the organization’s leader’s, director’s or owners. This staff member will notify the parents first then the proper authorities within 24 hours. Do not discuss the inappropriate behavior with anyone to include members of the media (CONFIDENTIALALITY!). The organizations policies are not meant to make working with children more difficult, but to provide the best protection possible for them. What is the State Law?

Symptoms of Molestation Workers and staff should be alert to the physical signs of abuse and molestation, as well as to behavioral and verbal signs that a victim may exhibit. Physical signs may include: l l l l Lacerations and bruises Nightmares Irritation, pain, or injury to the genital area Difficulty with urination Discomfort when sitting Torn or bloody underclothing Venereal disease

Symptoms of Molestation Behavioral signs may include: Anxiety when approaching organization physical area l Nervous or hostile behavior toward adults l Sexual self-consciousness l “acting out” of sexual behavior l Withdrawal from activities and friends l

Symptoms of Molestation Verbal signs may include the following statements: I don’t like (a particular worker or person) l (A worker or person) does things to me when we’re alone l I don’t like to be alone with ( a worker or person) l (A worker or person) fooled around with me l

The Shepherd’s Calling Acts 20: 28 – ‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God. ’

The Shepherd’s Calling 2 Timothy 1: 14 a – ‘Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. ’

Conclusion