Dear readers,

As the editor-in-chief of PROTECT, I am honoured to present to you our latest issue, which delves into the urgent and timely topic of sexual misconduct and harassment with a focus on clergy sexual abuse. At a time when these issues are at the forefront of public discourse, we felt it was essential to give voice to the countless individuals who have been affected by these insidious and pervasive forms of abuse. 

We also take a closer look at how organizations can communicate effectively regarding the harm they have caused, with a focus on accountability and healing. Finally, we have an in-depth article on providing trauma-informed care for victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse. This article sheds light on the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors to heal, and how organizations and churches can implement trauma-informed practices to better serve those affected by this kind of abuse. 

Our goal is not simply to raise awareness of these issues, our hope is that this issue will inspire meaningful dialogue and action as we work together to create a world where sexual harassment and misconduct are no longer tolerated. We truly believe that by shining a light on these issues, we can create a safer and more just society for all.

As always, we welcome your feedback and engagement, and we encourage you to share this issue with your friends, family, and colleagues, let us come together to confront these issues head-on, and to build a future where everyone is able to live free from the fear of sexual harassment and misconduct. - Tori Bissell

P.S. As this is such a serious topic, we have added a humorous piece from Phil Calaway, “Not my Lipstick”

We are often asked the question, whose responsibility is it? In our newsletters, we are offering a series on “Whose responsibility, is it?” Last month we focused on the responsibility of the Board, today we focus on Senior Staff Members.

My grandson is 2 ½ years old and lives in Kijabe, Kenya. My daughter had a sandbox made for him with cement walls and a wood cover. She reminds him often that the toys and sand must stay in the sandbox. The cover protects the sandbox from spiders, monkeys, and rain (Grandma doesn’t even want to consider the reality of snakes). As we learned last month, the role of a board is to establish parameters for staff and volunteers when interacting with the vulnerable sector. It is the responsibility of staff and volunteers to demonstrate they care for the organization by staying within those parameters and adhering to a code of conduct.

Here are six key responsibilities of senior staff members when it comes to Plan to Protect^®:

1. Lead by example and support the individuals who serve on the Plan to Protect^® committee. You can do this is by being the first one to submit to the screening process, sign up for training sessions, and comply with the policies and procedures. 
2. Be conscious of your own power differential and be very careful not to exert power, authority, influence, and control that will result in psychological, emotional, or spiritual harm. 
3. Be willing to step in if individuals are unwilling to comply with the policies and procedures, challenging them and exercising progressive steps of discipline as needed.
4. Hold staff and volunteers accountable to the policies and procedures, reporting significant breaches of those policies to the Board (as the risk of liability often falls on the Board). 
5. Find ways to influence your community to be a safe place (through announcements, newsletters, sermons, and town halls). Remind your audience often that you have a plan to protect the vulnerable sector.
6. Finally, avoid becoming a fallen leader yourself.