There were five statements explored regarding knowledge of prevention steps within the church.
The first statement about knowledge of CSA prevention, "Written policies and procedures are valuable for the prevention of child sexual abuse within the church,"
revealed that the majority of church leaders knew that written policies and procedures held value and were important for the safety of children within the church (m=1.78) and (mode=1, Strongly Agree). One leader commented, "It is absolutely essential to have a
policy in place to prevent child abuse. We implemented one last year as a result of denomination insistence." Yet, another leader stated, "We have no formal policy."
Churches need not wait for their denomination to insist upon a written plan for
prevention, but should initiate the plan within the local church. Writing a plan would not cost in a financial stance, but would cost in time and planning. It would be suggested by the researcher that a group of people (church board, Christian education committee, or other committee) work on writing the policy and procedure guidelines for the church, if the denomination has not a.ssisted in this prevention step (Child Protection Policy Task Group 1999, www.eocumc.com; Hammar, Klipowicz, and Cobble 1993,63; Dottie Miller 1996, www.sidewalksundayschool.com).
The second statement about knowledge of CSA prevention, "Most churches are screening their workers to prevent child sexual abuse," revealed that a portion ofthe church leaders did not know if churches were screening (Hammar, Klipowicz, and Cobble 1993,30-33; Mead and Balch 1987, 29) to prevent abuse (m=3.03) and (mode=3, Neither Agree or Disagree). A portion of church leaders assumed that most churches were involved in screening and prevention of CSA, but the reality was that most were not screening or using CSA prevention steps. According to the statistics of this research, less than 50% were using CSA prevention steps in any manner. Thus, only 33.89% of the prevention steps were used equaling an average of 4.72 CSA prevention steps out of sixteen steps available. Precedent literature suggested that 70% of churches were not using CSA prevention screening (Richard Hammar 2002). Precedent literature and this research were equal in agreement. Churches have not been screening volunteers to their fullest potential. Education and assistance should be available for churches to have
screening procedures. Most of all, church leaders need to implement the knowledge they already have about CSA prevention.
The third statement about knowledge of CSA prevention, "Two adults present in each classroom is not necessary as long as the volunteers are members and in good standing with the church," revealed that a portion of church leaders acknowledge and understand the value oftwo adults present in the classroom for CSA prevention (m=3.63) and (mode=5, Strongly Disagree). Two adults are a common prevention step according to precedent literature (Hammar, Klipowicz, and Cobble 1993, 46; Melton 2002, 31). One leader commented, "Two adults would be a great preventative measure." Another leader stated, "I think the church has to take a hard look at what's going on in the world and understand that the worldly people make up 50% ofthe church." Understanding that there were many people within the church and the church could not possibly know each and everyone on a personal basis, it would be important to train leaders to set up programs that have more than one adult in supervision of minors. Even though the volunteer may be a member in good standing with the church, he or she could also be a molester waiting for an opportunity to abuse a child. Two adults available reduce the risk of such abuse to occur.
The fourth statement about knowledge of CSA prevention, "Personal references are important for all persons working with children and/or youth in the church," revealed that the majority of church leaders know that personal references are important for volunteers and staff within the church (m=1.58) and (mode=l, Strongly Agree). One leader commented, "At our church one female youth advisor was asked to resign due to discovered felony record." If personal references and checks were
completed, it could prevent persons with felony records working with minors (Hammar, Klipowicz, and Cobble 1993,30-31; Mead and Balch 1987,29). The implication with the statement was that although the majority of church leaders knew personal references were important, some leaders still did not understand the importance of references. Education and implementation of CSA prevention steps need to be considered for church leaders and their churches.
The fifth and final statement about knowledge of CSA prevention, "Every volunteer and staff member should have a criminal background check completed before working with children and/or youth," reveals that the majority of church leaders knew the importance of having criminal background checks completed for those working with minors (m=1.74) and (mode=l, Strongly Agree). The implication for this statement was although the majority understood the value of background checks; there were still a portion of church leaders that did not understand the importance of criminal background checks. One leader commented it would be good "to find a non-threatening way to do checks and fingerprinting without causing hard feelings." The church leader believed that finding an easier way to implement the prevention steps without offending volunteers was the answer. However, while leaders consider the option of a non-threatening way to prevent CSA, abusers continue to offend children by exposing them to CSA. Could it be an assumption that volunteers would be offended? Church leaders need to understand that criminal background checks, especially fingerprinting, would ensure that criminal sex offenders would not have access to their children and youth within their churches. The greatest offense would be the lack of protection against those who cannot defend themselves.
Overall, church leaders understand the importance of CSA prevention within churches. Precedent literature supports CSA prevention (Child Protection Policy Task Group 1999, www.eocumc.com; Crabtree 1998, 36-39, 53-60; Free Methodist Church of Canada 1998, www.fmc_canada.org; Hammar, Klipowicz, and Cobble 1993,27-66;
Klipowicz 1993, 12-27; McGlone and Shrader 2003, 15-16, 18-19; Meade and Balch 1987,26-30; Melton 2002,8-9,23-41,47-48,51-54,61-76; Miller, Dottie 1996, www.
sidewalk sundayschool.com; Parker 2002, 11-19,31-40; Swagman 1997, 13-15,23-47;
Zarra 1997, 51-89). There was some confusion on how to implement and proceed with the knowledge they possessed on CSA prevention. Education would enhance the implementation needed for CSA prevention steps.