[MR] Safety!

[Helen Rogers]

Rorik wrote: "Thanks! I've read similar stories from the media. I also heartily hope anyone attending events with children be a good parent and take responsibility in guarding them properly. Parents tend to lay such responsibility on anyone else around anymore and it is such a shame. Just as they passed SCA regulations requiring (only?) Marshals in a limited few areas to submit to a criminal background check, I was against it. Not against checking but in limiting it to only a few areas. There are so many people in a 'position of authority' that children are taught to 'obey' yet are not covered under these rules. It isn't just men that must be checked but females too (check the statistics). Thank you for bringing this topic back up in the Tavern!" ------------- Rorik, I child's safety and causes are something very near and dear to my heart. I agree that the safety of children is often one that tends to lapse in consideration. As there should be a more thorough criminal background check (as you sighted), I think it MUCH more important that anyone joining or existing member should have a child assault/abuse background check done, in my humble opinion. Why? Because as you have noted, parents tend to lay such responsibility on anyone else around (and I know of what I speak). I'd have no problem with anyone checking my background, mostly because I've been a nanny and still babysit (and do truly adore kids and the "reality check" they give us all :) ... ). But, we can't simply dismiss the "Oh, he/she would never do anything like that" and assume things, as we all know what assuming does. If someone has issue with a background check in relation to children, I would be more worried about why, than potentially offending them ... and I hope parents would agree. This is, of course, my humble opinion. I know several may agree, but it takes several to make a change. Cassandra