Churches Doing Background Checks
More churches and faith-based groups are recognizing the importance of stringent background checks among those who working with children. This development comes as a result of the recent increase in church abuse scandals among minors.
Child advocacy groups agree that not all background checks are equally as effective. Some highlight the importance of having Volunteer Tracking System in place for volunteers, and that background checks should be performed on clergy and staff.
Background checks should ideally be conducted on the local, state and federal levels to ensure public safety. Many would be surprised to know that many pedophiles do not have criminal records because they have yet to be caught in the act or formally prosecuted.
LifeWay Christian Resources made the announcement in 2008 that it will be partnering with backgroundchecks.com to improve screening practices, while offering Volunteer Tracking System services at a lower rate.
There is a basic background check option offered for $10 that provides national criminal and sex offender search. The program has been proven effective and is being widely used in church communities throughout the US.
Since 2008, over 900 churches and organizations have used the Volunteer Tracking System in over 11,277 background checks. Nearly 40 percent of background checks returned hits on minor and major criminal incidents.
Nearly 21 percent of the background checks returned records for misdemeanors and felonies. Over 600 of the returned records revealed felony offenses, according to Lifeway. Backgroundchecks.com service has helped improve hiring practices among employers that use the services.
Victims' rights advocates pressed to have the checks performed on the higher level members of the organizations. The SBC determined that it was incapable of creating an internal database or an office to process sex abuse claims. Instead it committed to working with churches to conduct background checks through a Volunteer Tracking System and facilitate the sharing of data among others organizations in the church community.
The partnership between Lifeway and backgroundchecks.com grew in response to the need to protect potential victims from child sex abuse.
Insurance companies are in support of thorough background checks and Volunteer Tracking Systems even though they are not a requirement. They also recommend having a minimum of two adults in a room with children. Children should always be kept in rooms with windows and the doors of classrooms should be kept ajar at all times. New church members should be allowed to work with children until they've been a part of the community for six months. Insurance companies recommend that checks be performed through a Volunteer Tracking System on new and existing members periodically.
One expert recommends that LexisNexis be used in the screening process to screen the individual's lifestyle. In 2007, 47,573 people were screened using the LexisNexis system by Church Mutual clients. This year, it is expected that the number will grow to 76,262.
Many church organizations are using a Volunteer Tracking System as a preemptive measure to protect children of the congregation. Some church leaders see this as an invaluable tool that helps them remain vigilant. Although the background screenings can be costly, the implications are far worse for not adopting these stringent screening practices.
Questions and Answers
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