We can do it! Practical steps to protecting children

5 practical steps that anyone can take to minimize the potential for abuse within our communities

The protection of little ones is not solely the responsibility of leadership. In fact, it is often the care and concern of ordinary individuals that sparks meaningful action. While there are many things we can do to help prevent abuse in our schools, churches, and other faith communities, I believe these five steps form the foundation for any effective effort. These practical, actionable steps are accessible to anyone and can make a real difference in the lives of the little ones among us.

1. Recognize the Indescribable Value of Children

There is a story about the late American evangelist D. L. Moody, who arrived home late one evening from preaching a revival service. As the tired Moody climbed into bed, his wife rolled over and asked, “So, how did it go tonight?” Moody replied, “Pretty well. Two and a half converts.” His wife smiled and said, “That’s sweet. How old was the child?” “No, no, no,” Moody answered. “It was two children and one adult! The children have their whole lives in front of them. The adult’s life is already half gone.”

Too often, our churches and other institutions view children in the same manner as Moody’s wife. Instead of treasuring little ones as intrinsically valuable, they reflexively consider their worth as secondary to that of adults. This devaluing of children often leaves them exposed to life-altering harms that have physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International, perhaps puts it most accurately when he writes, “Small, weak, helpless, innocent, vulnerable, and trusting, they are waiting victims for our simple neglect and most evil abuse. No matter what goes wrong, the little ones pay the greatest price.” Children can never be protected until we value them as the precious beings they are.

2. Seek Out Like-Minded Souls

There is strength in numbers! Find others who are passionate about protecting children and want to do something about it. You may be amazed at the number of people who have this interest but have remained silent, believing that they don’t know enough to make a difference. We will be far more successful in protecting children when we are not going about it alone.

3. Get Educated

It is so important that those who want to protect children become educated on the variety of issues related to the abuse of children. This doesn’t require us to become child abuse “experts.” It doesn’t even require attendance at a fancy (and expensive) conference. It does require that we invest some time reading some good books on the subject. Encourage others who have expressed an interest in taking these steps to read a few books on the subject and meet to discuss each. Yes, a child-protection book club!

Though there are dozens of books on this subject, I have some favorite recommendations that I think provide a good overview and help underscore the horrific consequences of failing to protect children.

• The best (and most disturbing) book on the subject is Predators by Anna Salter, who has spent the past 35 years researching and interviewing offenders. Dr. Salter does an excellent job of communicating very unsettling facts in a language that anyone can understand. As a note, this is a heavy book, and I do not recommend it to survivors. However, I am a big believer in this research, and I think that every leader, pastor, and educator in the United States should read this book.
• Abuse takes a tremendous personal toll on the human soul. When institutions designed to protect children—like schools, churches, and other faith-based communities—fail to respond, the trauma can cut even deeper. Christa Brown’s This Little Light offers an honest and sobering look at the lifelong harm inflicted by a faith community’s failure to address abuse properly.
• For those interested in a Christian perspective on the subject of abuse, I highly recommend On the Threshold of Hope by Dr. Diane Langberg. This book provides a refreshing perspective on hope and healing for those who have been traumatized by sexual abuse.
• I have also written a mini-book on the subject entitled Protecting Children from Abuse in the Church. This short 30-page book is geared toward ministry leaders and others who work with kids. It focuses on strategies for cultivating a culture in our churches and institutions that prioritizes safety and protection for young ones.

4. Be a Resource

Yes, you can be an invaluable resource in your community! As you become more knowledgeable, you can grow into a conduit for providing child-protection resources. And don’t worry; you don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. Simply knowing where to find the right resources and assistance is itself a vital resource. Here are just a few ways you can bolster your community’s resources and actionability:

• Improve or Draft a Child-Protection Policy: Find out if your institution or church has a child-protection policy. If it does, ask for a copy and inform the principal, administrator, or pastor that you want it reviewed by a child-protection expert. Organizations such as GRACE, the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, and the National Child Protection Training Center are all equipped to review child-protection policies and offer suggested improvements. If your church or organization doesn’t have a child-protection policy, consider convening a committee to develop one. This will place you in a position to seek expert assistance in developing an exceptional policy. The organizations mentioned above are a good starting place to find such expertise.
• Establish a Training Initiative: Volunteer to organize annual child-protection trainings. For faith-based communities, Safe Church, Darkness to Light, and GRACE all offer onsite training. Recommend that such training be mandatory for all employees and any volunteers who serve children or youth. Once established, you can also open up the training sessions to others in the community and encourage parents and caregivers to attend this critical training.
• Keep it Top of Mind: In my 20+ years of addressing this issue within the faith community, I have learned that a church is much more likely to make child protection a priority if it is a priority of those in leadership. In churches, sermons can be a powerful tool. To this end, you can consider asking the pastor to preach on issues related to the value and protection of children—perhaps every April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In communities and institutions outside the church, work with administrators and other leaders to create awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of protecting the vulnerable. (The recommended reading above is a great place to start!) By integrating child protection into the core values and practices of an institution, you help create an environment where the safety and well-being of children are prioritized and continuously reinforced.

5. Speak Out

Whether it is the troubling behavior of an adult with a child or an older child with a younger child, if you witness or learn about a concerning situation or event, do not hesitate to speak out. The safety of our children demands that these concerns are promptly and properly addressed. Keep in mind that speaking up doesn’t require you to have all the answers! It simply means ensuring the right people are informed and can take appropriate action.

The evils of abuse thrive in darkness and silence. To protect our children, we must establish environments where raising concerns is encouraged and where children are always prioritized above discomfort or fear of consequences.

Protecting children requires ongoing dedication, education, and action. By taking these steps, you can help build a community of advocates committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every child.

If you’re a survivor of abuse seeking justice, BozLaw is here to help with professional guidance and compassionate legal support. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Boz Tchividjian is an attorney at BozLaw P.A. who represents sexual abuse survivors throughout the country. A version of this article was originally published for the Religion News Service (RNS). Used with permission.