Yes, this is a question we have been asked many times over.

To be honest, we often pause when we hear this question — perhaps even bite our tongues — holding back the response we would like to give.

Jefferson Fisher (a lawyer from Texas who coaches individuals on how to make their “next conversation” a healthy one) would coach us to respond, “Would you repeat your question, please?” Jefferson suggests that most people would not word the question the same way if they heard it out loud, as they would realize that questions like this do not reflect their values or a commitment to reasonable care.

Preventing harm is often discussed in the language of policies, procedures, and legal obligations. Mandated reporting laws, duty of care, insurance requirements, and standards of care all play a critical role in safeguarding people — especially children, youth, and vulnerable individuals. These requirements matter, and compliance is essential.

But compliance alone is not enough.

At its core, preventing harm is not simply about meeting a standard — it is about living out deeply held values. It is about dignity, trust, responsibility, and care for one another. When safeguarding is rooted only in obligation, it risks becoming a checklist. When it is rooted in values, it becomes a culture — part of our DNA.

History is full of leaders who started strong but ended in moral failure. Whether in the church, government, business, or non-profit work, the sad truth is that position and influence do not make a person immune to temptation. In fact, leadership can intensify both opportunity and vulnerability.

Please note this true case study is alarming. As of June 5th, 2025, the teacher had yet to be arrested, but a criminal investigation was underway. https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article305571141.html

A fifth-grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, identified as Jarrett Williams, allegedly groomed an 11-year-old student—sending her a two-page, hand-written letter confessing, “You know I truly love you no matter what… I love how close we have gotten this year” (https://www.mysuncoast.com). After the letter was discovered on March 9, 2025, authorities and district officials were notified the next day, and Williams was immediately reassigned to a non-teaching role (WESH, WTSP).

Despite the severity of the allegations—including parents calling it a “textbook grooming letter”—the school board voted on April 29 to accept Williams’s resignation under investigation, rather than officially firing him (https://www.mysuncoast.com). Only one dissenting voice, board member Cindy Spray, urged the district to fire him outright (Your Observer).

District officials later defended the resignation stance as functionally equivalent to a firing. They emphasized that his personnel file would be flagged, and multiple agencies—including the state Department of Children and Families, the Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practices, and local law enforcement—were looped in (WESH).

However, the parents—shaken by the letter’s discovery—said they had hoped for a firmer statement: “To us, we felt termination was tougher language… somebody we would hope would never be in a classroom again” (WESH).

In the heart of our community stands a small yet vibrant church, a congregation of about 100 people, where nearly half of the attendees are children under the age of 12. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the church’s deacons and engaging in a thoughtful conversation about a challenge that many small churches face: how to uphold the high standards of Plan to Protect® when resources are limited and meeting ratios seem daunting.

A Call for Safer Ministry Practices in Our Churches

I grew up in the church. Within days of being born, my parents bundled up my brother and me and brought us to Sunday services. I was raised under the tender, loving care of nursery workers and Sunday School teachers—those who cradled me, changed my diapers, read me Bible stories, introduced me to Jesus, celebrated my baptism, and later, attended my wedding.

At 13, I volunteered in the nursery and began teaching the two- and three-year-old Sunday School class. For the next five decades, I taught almost every Sunday—celebrating 50 years of children’s ministry. Back then, no one asked for a criminal record check or references. I attended many training meetings, but I can’t recall ever hearing about child protection or safeguarding.

Still, most of my teachers were remarkable. They offered loving and protective care, and I am deeply grateful for their example. However, the need for safeguarding was still very real.

I remember hearing hushed conversations about inappropriate behavior. I remember children going missing or being bullied. These were warning signs that, even if ignored or downplayed at the time, should have led to stronger safety measures.

The sport sector is facing a crisis of trust. In recent years, the headlines have exposed what many survivors have known for decades — abuse, misconduct, and cover-ups have been far too common in sport.

From grassroots clubs to national teams, athletes have reported emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, often at the hands of those in positions of power. The consequences are devastating — to victims, to organizations, and to the public’s trust.

At Plan to Protect®, we believe it’s time to raise the bar on safeguarding in sport. We equip sport organizations with the tools, training, and policies they need to build safer programs, protect participants, and earn the trust of families. Over the last three years we have had the privilege of working with the sports sector to raise the bard on safeguarding.

This past month, I was called in as an Expert Witness for a lawsuit of abuse that occurred 50 years ago. The standard of care in the 1970s was significantly less than it is in 2025. Remarkably, the organization was able to retrieve volunteer application forms, registration records of the children enrolled in the program, policies on volunteer...

We are often asked the question, whose responsibility, is it? In our newsletters over the next few months, we will be offering a series on “Whose responsibility, is it?”  

We are often asked the question, whose responsibility is it? In our newsletters, we are offering a series on “Whose responsibility, is it?” Last month we focused on the responsibility of the Board, today we focus on Senior Staff Members.

The Board should provide effective governance when developing and implementing a plan to protect the vulnerable sector that the organization serves. This includes having clear and compelling documents concerning the structure, operations, and beliefs consistent with safeguarding children, youth, and vulnerable adults.