Are You Taking Precautions Against Sexual Abuse Claims?

When headlines of this nature occur at an unfortunate frequency, any organization working with youth must create a culture where sexual abuse is discussed, addressed, and prevented.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has excellent resources on this subject. In their publication, Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations, they identify six key components of a prevention program:

The Six Pillars of an Effective Prevention Program

Your organization must integrate these six interlocking components into its operational fabric:

1. Screening and Selecting Employees and Volunteers

The first line of defense is ensuring unsuitable individuals never gain access to children.

• Action: Implement mandatory, standardized application processes for all positions (paid and volunteer). Conduct thorough, professional criminal background checks that are renewed periodically (e.g., every 3-5 years). Verify references and prior employment history.

2. Developing Guidelines on Interactions

Clear rules establish behavioral boundaries, protect children, and protect staff from false accusations.

• Action: Implement a strict “Two-Adult Rule” (or “Two-Deep” Rule) requiring that two vetted adults are present with children at all times. Establish clear rules against one-on-one contact, particularly in non-public spaces (classrooms, vehicles, restrooms, etc.).

3. Monitoring Behaviors

Even with rules in place, continuous vigilance is required to catch and correct boundary issues before they escalate.

• Action: Position volunteers/staff so they are always visible to each other (open doors, windows). Encourage supervisors to actively observe staff-child interactions. Designate safety or administrative staff to conduct unannounced “walk-throughs” of ministry areas.

4. Ensuring Safe Environments

The physical and digital environments must be structured to prevent opportunities for abuse.

• Action: Conduct annual facility audits to ensure high-risk areas (restrooms, closets, remote areas of the property) are supervised or locked down. Review policies on the use of personal cell phones and social media between staff/volunteers and minors.

5. Responding to Inappropriate Behavior and Allegations

A clear, non-negotiable reporting and response protocol is essential for compliance and protection.

• Action: Mandate and train all staff on the legal requirement for reporting suspected abuse to the authorities (Child Protective Services or Law Enforcement) immediately. Establish an internal protocol that requires the immediate removal of the accused individual from contact with children, pending an investigation. The internal investigation must never supersede the external, legal reporting mandate.

6. Providing Educational Programs and Training

Safety should be an ongoing conversation, not a one-time class.

• Action: Provide mandatory, recurring training (e.g., annual refresher courses) for all employees and volunteers on recognizing grooming behaviors, understanding your organization’s policies, and knowing the reporting procedures. Educate parents and children on personal safety boundaries.

While a comprehensive program is the best defense, the unfortunate reality is that no system is foolproof. High-profile incidents can occur despite the best efforts. You may want to look into these insurances:

• Liability Protection: Abuse and Molestation (A&M) Coverage is a specialized form of insurance designed to protect the organization’s assets and mission in the event of a civil lawsuit stemming from an allegation or conviction of abuse.

• Defense Costs: The coverage primarily pays for the significant legal defense costs associated with abuse litigation, even if the allegations prove unfounded. Without this coverage, the immense expense of a legal defense can bankrupt an organization, regardless of the verdict.

• Organizational Continuity: A&M coverage is critical for ensuring the organization can continue its core mission and service to the community even while navigating a severe legal crisis.

Utilize resources from the CDC (cdc.gov) and work with your insurance broker to ensure your organization initiates and implements these critical risk management responsibilities.

Visit cdc.gov to search the site by topic or publication title. Be sure to utilize the available tools to help your organization initiate and implement this important risk management responsibility. No one hopes to encounter this in their own organization, but keeping Abuse and Molestation Coverage can help families and organizations in case of the worst.

If you have a safety or risk management question or a suggestion for a topic, please contact us at 800-231-9963 or moc.yrnehrentib@ecivres