The purpose of this paper is to provide a strong standard of protection to minimize incidences of abuse, injury and harm and to minimize risk to the vulnerable sector, organizations and their staff and volunteers caring for the children.  

Four years ago the Executive Director of a large community service agency asked me what our recommendations on the issue of transgender and gender dysphoria. This service organization had recently had boys asking to register for their all girl’s programs.  At the time, I did not have a well formulated, or well-researched response. I suggested they consult with a lawyer …  a safe answer as I didn’t have the answers to give.  

Relationships are the priority for the children and youth’s ministry at Central Baptist Church in Edmonton.

But for children and youth to build relationships with God, they need to be able to trust the church leading them.

“I want all of our volunteers to be just as convinced as I am that the church should be the safest place on earth and that the church should be a place that children can know that they are safe and that they are cared for,” said Jud Stade, the church’s emerging generations pastor, meaning he’s responsible for overseeing ministries for children to young adults in their mid-20s.

There is something about watching Judge Judy in action on television that both challenges and offends me.  

Judy Sheindlin is a retired, real life judge from Manhattan, NY.  Judy has gained a reputation as a judge in both the family court and on television for her no-nonsense fact-finding, brusque management, incisive decision-making. In line with these attributes, her program has been touted as the "show where justice is dispensed at the speed of light." Moreover, resolute in her rulings, arguments and excuses are often to no avail under Sheindlin.  

Strict in her management of the proceedings, Sheindlin coerces precise compliance of rules and is very quick to scold or even punish what she perceives as disobedience, misbehavior or even annoyance. And as a result of her gruff disposition, volatile, and saucy treatment, taglines such as "Justice with an Attitude" have been used to characterize the program. As examples of this, Sheindlin has regularly made such remarks as: "Baloney!", "Do I have 'stupid' written over my forehead?", "I'm here because I'm smart, not because I'm young and gorgeous, although I am,” "Where did you think you were coming to today, a tea party?!","I'm speaking!", "If you interrupt again madam, your case is dismissed, and I'm throwing you out. Do we understand each other?”, "I've been in this business for over 40 years, do I look like I need help from you?”, and my favourite, “Show me the paperwork!”  [1]

There are some topics I wish we didn’t have to address - child abuse in faith communities is one of them.  Like many, I hate to think that those that say they follow God’s teachings and desire to live in holiness and worship are choosing to indulge in sinful, lustful desires that rob the innocence of children. However what I do appreciate hearing is how faith communities are striving to create safe places for past offenders and children. 

Nostalgia: (noun) a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.

If I had a dollar every time someone said, “too bad we can’t go back to the days when we didn’t have to do all this abuse prevention stuff,” I would be a very wealthy person. 

Twenty-five years ago my husband and I were living 20 kilometers from Vienna in a small town called Traiskirchen.  The town is well known for its wine and heurigers. The city is also known nationwide and internationally for its refugee camp the "Bundesbetreuungsstelle für Asylwerber." 

It is the refugee camp that drew us to Traiskirchen.  Here we met and assisted incredible people from Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Syria as they awaited papers and word of a new home.

One young man we met was Abraham[1].  He was 19 years of age and had grown up in Syria. 

You are well underway into a new program year!  How is registration processes? 

The purpose of this blog entry is to encourage you to take time 6-8 weeks into the program year to review your registration forms, highlighting things that should be communicated to teachers, helpers, and program personnel. 

I remember the phone call vividly, “Melodie, your mother and my mother are good friends, I would love to meet you.  Could I take you out for hot chocolate after school next week?” Deb Kuyers entered my world - I was barely out of elementary school, and this beautiful, vivacious high-school junior wanted to spend time with me! That phone call changed the course of my life.

Forty years later, I still remember the investment Deb made in my young life. I salute my mother for encouraging Deb to call me. Though my godly, stay-at-home mother was an amazing woman, she recognized that other individuals could play an important role in building upon the foundation she and my father had laid.