Whether you are 25 or 65, you can probably remember a time when you were bullied or you witnessed someone being bullied. It’s an ugly part of society; nevertheless, it does happen quite frequently. In fact, some research shows that 90 percent of children in grades 4 to 8 report they have been bullied at […]
If you work with children in a church, school, or other organization, you should be alert to unusual changes in a child’s behavior or moods. Recognizing and responding to abuse is part of our role as leaders—whether as clergy, teachers, staff, or volunteers—and we should be ready to take action if we have concerns about […]
Safe Gatherings, which provides a comprehensive online system for abuse prevention, has relaunched its website, unveiling a new logo and exciting news about its updated offerings. “For several years, we have focused on serving churches across the country, but our vision was always to help prevent abuse anywhere it can happen,” says Sharon Holt, president […]
Imagine this scenario: You are a volunteer at a camp that your church sponsors every summer. There is a historic school on the grounds of the campsite, and the campers are gathered there listening to a character talk about what school was like in the 1800s. During the presentation, a child indicates to you that […]
Working or volunteering in a church means you are exposed to people of all ages. Although many abuse stories are focused on children, it’s important to remember the older generations in our congregations. Elder abuse is a very real problem, and it affects seniors of all ages and backgrounds. Elder abuse refers to any knowing, […]
It’s been a tough week at work, you aren’t making any progress and projects are piling up … or maybe you argued with your spouse before you came into church this morning. We all get mad once in awhile. Anger can be a normal, healthy emotion or a response to a threat when we are […]
Listen up! As a person who works in ministry, you are probably talking all day: engaging in conversations, solving problems, giving advice. Your work also puts you in the important position of listening to people, whether it’s a child or an elderly person. It is amazing what can be accomplished when we take the time […]
Imagine this scenario: You are a leader for a youth event, and three young people ask you for a ride home because none of the parents can pick them up. You know you shouldn’t be alone with a youth in the car, but there are three youth, not just one. Plus, you can’t reach any […]
As someone working with children and youth in ministry, you are often put in a place to give counsel about tough topics. Many parents are desperate to learn more information about protecting their children from sexual abusers. When people know better, they tend to do better. You can be a good resource, and this can […]