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.

Mandated requirements exist to establish a baseline of protection. They define what organizations must do:

• Report concerns
• Screen staff and volunteers
• Provide training
• Maintain supervision and accountability structures

These requirements protect individuals and organizations alike. They provide clarity and consistency, and they are non-negotiable in 2026. However, the law and insurance requirements define the minimum acceptable standard of behaviour — not the highest expression of care.

At Plan to Protect®, we unapologetically state that we provide the HIGHEST STANDARD of abuse prevention and safeguarding. For us, this mission and mandate are rooted in a values-based approach. We ask a different question than, “What is the minimum we have to do or provide?”

“What is the right thing to do, even when no one is watching?”

Thirty years ago, the Plan to Protect® manual was first written for a family of churches. Since then, we have expanded to serve a much broader audience. However, our deep desire — which has never shifted — was to protect and care for children, because children matter. The question was never, “What is the minimum we should be doing?” but rather, “What is the right thing to do, even when no one is watching?”

This triggers a memory from my childhood, when I was reminded that God is always watching — and calling us to do our very best.

A values-based approach to safeguarding means doing our very best to prevent harm. It calls for:

• A commitment to human dignity
• A desire to prevent harm before it occurs
• Courage to act early and thoughtfully
• Willingness to prioritize people over reputation or convenience
• A pursuit of justice
• Humility in our actions
• A commitment to healing
• A dedication to doing good

When values guide decisions, organizations do not wait for certainty, crisis, or instruction. They act out of care, wisdom, and responsibility.

Let’s shift the questions we ask. Let’s pause to ask ones rooted in our vision, values, and mission. And let’s be willing to put on paper — and into practice — what we are truly committed to do.