[MR] Society Notice

[Tank Mark D]

Well said. The fact is, background checks are a part of today's world. I'm not a lawyer, but I've been involved in discussions concerning this issue in churches, as well as having been subject to background checks and drug testing as a condition of employment all of my adult life. 

Day Care workers, church children's workers, teachers, etc., are all subject to background checks when working with children, whether or not other adults are providing peer-oversight for each other. The cost, even if significantly higher than what has been discussed in these posts, is insignificant when compared to the cost of battling litigation, as whether you win or lose it is horrifyingly expensive. Typically, due diligence has been considered to include these background checks. Failure to perform these checks, even with other "monitoring" type protections, can be considered negligence. 

However, background checks are, in themselves, inadequate to the entire task, but are simply pieces of the whole. Practicing a higher standard of observation and having an attitude that questions those "uncomfortable moments" that are often associated with the warning signs of abuse are also vital to the overall protection of children. When dealing with children, watching "over each other's shoulders" has to become the norm, not an embarrassing intrusion. Do I wish it were different? Certainly. Unfortunately, child abusers are excellent at blending in and behaving as something they are not. In effect, they present a persona in everyday life, and the SCA's overall persona-driven structure would be just another mask for them to wear.

Therefore, as was stated, "in today's litigious society" background checks are essential for the protection of the organization, combined with such actions as a "two-person rule" and a questioning attitude toward apparent or potential inappropriate behaviors. 

Yours In Service,
Glynn-Haydn Murcheson-O'Shannon




-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org]On Behalf Of Layne R.
Sunderlin
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 3:50 PM
To: Merry Rose Tavern
Subject: Re: [MR] Society Notice


[Snippage]

 

".legal liabilities if we fail to execute proper due diligence, ."

 

[Much more snippage]

 

This fragment is the crux of the matter.

 

Since the subject of background checks has been breached anything less
could be argued in litigation as not only as less than due diligence, but
also as negligence, or worse, "callous disregard".

 

Unfortunately, in today's litigious society public entities are forced to
walk a
tightrope whilst in a fog.  Sometimes, having to be careful to a fault.

 

My 2p worth.

 

YIS, Hargrove the Wanderer

The most exciting phrase to hear in science,
the one that heralds new discoveries,
is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!)
but " That's funny..." 
  -Isaac Asimov-

 

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