TORONTO, JULY 1, 2022, Plan to Protect^®, is pleased to announce that four organizations have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in meeting the HIGHEST STANDARD of safeguarding the vulnerable sector as outlined in the Plan to Protect Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults. A Peer Review Panel evaluated their submissions demonstrating how they are meeting the high standard of protection that was presented.

The Plan to Protect^® Seal of Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievements by churches, charities, not-for-profits and businesses globally. Individuals representing a Peer Review Panel read through each submission in response to the 12 standards, assessing how strongly the organization demonstrated that they are meeting each standard. The 12 categories include Leadership Buy-In, Awareness of Abuse, Policy, Screening, Training, Operational Procedures, Facility, Documentation and Administrative Processes, Reporting, Response, and commitment to protection.  

I hate writing the words, "another leader has fallen!"

However, once again, we hear of another leader that has committed sexual misconduct and harassment. Another leader has abused his power, influence, authority and control.

Will we ever stop hearing these stories? I wish the answer were yes, but unfortunately, we are an unholy people, and in some way, we all succumb to our cravings and temptations.  However, where and when will this stop?  When will these abuses end? When will we say enough is enough? When will we learn? When will our sorrow turn into action?

I can remember a time in my life when a wise woman challenged me to count the cost of putting my wants and desires ahead of others. 

She shared the image of a beautiful egg that we want to cherish and hold on to and not let others even know about it. However, what we may not know is that within that egg is a deadly snake that will destroy not only the holder but everyone around us.

Once again, we hear of the damage that has been caused by the abuse of power. It is so senseless, so unnecessary, so sad! 

As more and more organizations and their leaders in our society come under scrutiny for misdeeds, bad decisions, criminal acts, they are finding that the act of apology is a critical piece in moving through a crisis and regaining the reputation they once had.

Reputation management is what organizations must do if they are to continue their existence. Public trust and public will can build or destroy those reputations. It does not matter if you are a celebrity or a small non-profit, your survival depends greatly on the Court of Public Opinion. Famed financier Warren Buffet once said that it can take twenty or more years to build a solid reputation. But it only takes twenty minutes to destroy it!

Apologies to the public for any transgression are, therefore, critical. It might be for statements made by employees or leaders, or it might be for actions or decisions made by corporate entities. Reading or watching the news these days will identify at least three per week from around the world.

Covid is not going away. Obviously.

As the pandemic drags on and impacts our thinking, planning and actions, there’s a sense of resignation and, yes, even complacency setting in in some quarters.

Part of that is the Second World War thinking of “keep calm and carry on.” Which is commendable. But it can also lead to complacency and a lack of understanding of the modern mindset which is driven in part by various social media platforms.

What that means is that the public is both more aware and more vocal than ever about what it perceives as carelessness or wrongdoing by organizations in the public eye.

I am sure that similar to myself, your heart has been heavy with the news that is coming from the United States after the senseless murder of George Floyd. 

How is it even possible that those that have sworn to protect and serve are using such brutal force that they can murder an individual while bystanders are watching. Does the word protect mean nothing! What are we striving to protect? Property, reputation, liberty, power, position ... or people?  

Is it alright to sacrifice one in the name of many?  

George Floyd was murdered by police officers, while bystanders looked on. This senseless act, devaluing a life, is not new. For centuries people have looked on, both up close and from a distance: Jerusalem, Rome, Europe, Middle East, First Nations, Slavery, South Africa, Rwanda, and now among people of colour at the hands of law enforcement. Silence is complicity.  

1. I observed a group of elementary children being lectured for 20 minutes on the threat of the disease, the likelihood that either they or their family members will be exposed to it, how contagious it is and that there is a 14% chance that if a family member gets it they will die;
2. I learned of a single mother who was sent home from work and told she must stay home on unpaid leave for two weeks because a family member had recently returned from Hong Kong;
3. I also read a social media group spreading many myths about the disease and cautioning everyone to avoid interacting with anyone of Asian descent. 

In an effort to provide safety and protection, I encourage you to view health and safety from a broad and holistic perspective still embracing a compassionate and inclusive approach where we refrain from discrimination, undue hardship and causing fear and stress. 

Two stories popped up this past week that illustrate the need for heightened sensitivity and realization around crisis management and training. Both happened in Ontario but could have just as easily happened anywhere.

We are often asked if schools follow the same standard of protection that Plan to Protect® recommends.  Often the standards schools follow are the objections that Board members and leaders use to refute the best practices that are laid out in policies and procedures.  How safe are our schools?

Who do you reach out to when you need care and support?

Last week I was interviewed by a young journalist from Huffington Post and asked why victims of child abuse reached out to clergy to disclose their abuse. The interviewer was writing in response to recent disclosures of abuse: #MeTOO and #ChurchTOO.

As I responded to the questions, I thought of many individual cases of abuse where each individual disclosed their abuse to someone they trusted. Some of the names have been changed to protect the victims.