Are we ever really prepared for a disclosure of abuse, especially when the report alleges that someone in a position of authority, control, or trust is cited as causing the harm. 

We feel a sense of shock, disbelief, denial and often very inadequately equipped to handle the messy situation. Our natural inclination is to control the narrative and try to quickly push past it. 
Our natural inclination is to say, “no comment!” Who of us wishes to be exposed or have our reputation as an organization damaged? As much as we only want to share the information on a “need-to-know basis,” many voices warn us to manage the risk, avoid liability, and not get involved. When there is no denying that we must respond appropriately, we question what does that mean?
In this newsletter we are responding to common questions that we often are asked, “What do we all need to know about reporting and responding to abuse against an adult or child?”
For years we have been teaching that the most important law that relates to safeguarding is the “duty to report.” We also teach on being a mandatory reporter and an ethical reporter. In every orientation and refresher training we teach the three different means of discovery, allegations, disclosures and suspicions. We teach how to respond to each level of discovery. 
The duty to report is clear – we have a legal and ethical duty to report abuse. 

However, on our safeguarding assessment, on average across all respondents, the lowest ranked score is reporting and responding to abuse. What about you? What is your score on reporting and responding to abuse? 
Read on to learn more about responding appropriately to disclosures of abuse. 
As Robert Cunningham fittingly tweeted, "Neither truth nor love are ever convenient. Choose them anyway...I say let the stories come. Let them all come out... Let every attempt to deflect or defend come to an end and let us instead listen and learn from the courage of the abused. They are our prophets now, with voices that will no longer allow us to hide or ignore the epidemic ...indeed, the overdue purge has begun, and may it not relent until every hidden darkness faces the light of justice."
FAQ: What is the difference between a mandatory reporter and an ethical reporter?
A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. This law otherwise known as “the duty to report” is in place to prevent children from being abused and to end any possible abuse or neglect at the earliest possible stage. In Canada all adults are mandated reporters and yet some have an elevated duty to report. In the United States the official designation of which professions are considered mandated reporters varies state to state. However, in most cases the definition concerns anyone who works closely with a vulnerable population, such as children or the elderly. This typically includes social workers, teachers, health care workers, child care providers, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and other educators and medical professionals. 
An ethical reporter simply implies that EVERYONE - even those not mandated by their state or profession, would report suspected child abuse and/or neglect out of their sense of duty to or care for humanity. We are all ultimately responsible for the well-being and safety of children and vulnerable adults, who are not able to report for themselves, and morally/ethically we are thus bound to speak up for them and report (to Child Protective Services or the police) if ever we are made aware or suspect that they are being abused.
FAQ: How do we respond to vulnerable adult abuse?
With the exception of long-term care facilities, there is no legal duty to report abuse against an adult. If a crime is about to be committed, or, if the person does not have cognitive capacity to report (they have a disability i.e., Alzheimer’s or dementia), you should immediately call 9-1-1. If a person discloses to you that they have been harmed, and they do have the cognitive capacity to report, remind them that they can always self-report to the police. Demonstrate your care and support as they consider how to respond to the abuse and harm, by providing resources, phone numbers and referring them to counselling.

We recommend that organizations have a whistle-blower policy in place where volunteers and staff can raise concerns of breaches of policy and code of conduct. 
FAQ: Why should every organization have a Whistleblower Policy?
According to Janet Candido in a special feature of The Globe & Mail (June 26, 2018)
“A whistle-blower policy should guarantee the protection of an individual (employee, volunteer) who reports on an employer’s activities that are deemed to be illegal, unethical or dishonest. Its intent is to:
  • Prevent retaliation – any adverse employment action such as termination of employment, poor work assignments, shunning by co-workers and/or threats of physical harm.
  • Provide confidentiality – where possible. The identity of the whistle-blower is protected, but if the individual is required to testify or otherwise provide information in an investigation, their identity may be revealed.”
Having a whistleblower policy protects the employee and volunteer when they see or hear inappropriate behaviour. Whistle-blower policies are also necessary to protect the organization through early detection of wrongdoing. The statement “our employees are our most valuable asset” is often seen as meaningless, designed as a public-relations gesture more than a true statement of worth. For those organizations that are serious about their values and have taken the time to create their culture and ethics, it’s the logical next step. It shows that you’re so serious about ensuring that everyone is behaving in accordance with your code of conduct, and values that you are providing a mechanism for volunteers and employees to report something that contravenes them.
When individuals believe they will be supported, they are more likely to report their concerns internally versus sharing their concerns with the media. When employees fear losing their job or feel that nothing will be done anyway if they speak to their employer, they might be more likely to go to social media or file a lawsuit against the organization. 

A whistleblower policy engenders trust. Check out our 2022 edition of Plan to Protect: A Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults for a draft of a whistleblower policy. 

A whistleblower policy engenders trust. Check out our 2022 edition of Plan to Protect: A Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults for a draft of a whistleblower policy. 
Victim Advocacy
Listen in to an interview between Sandra Dalziel and Melodie Bissell as they discuss how an organization can prepare for a crisis to respond well prepared. Click on the image below.
Register for our May Forum!
Why every organization needs a Trauma-Informed Victim Advocate...
Tuesday, May 16
10:00 am EST to 4:00 pm EST
With guest Scott Beard, Esq.
Scott Beard is the Executive Director of the Tri-County Sexual Assault Centre.
Scott Beard has spent the past 35 years advocating for crime victims at the local, state, and national levels. His experience includes directing a sexual assault agency and a domestic violence initiative in South Carolina; working on public policy initiatives for crime victims at the national level; developing programs to address the needs of crime victims in faith communities; and managing crime victim compensation agencies for the states of Maryland and South Carolina. Mr. Beard is a passionate advocate for improving the lives of crime victims at all stages of their healing process. 

Scott will join Dr. Melodie Bissell for this full-day forum providing basic training on victim advocacy. 

Agenda:
  1. Past and Present: A brief history of victim advocacy in North America; What do we mean by victim advocacy? 
  2. The role and responsibilities of a victim advocate
  3. The do's and don’ts of victim advocacy
  4. The future and hope of victim advocacy within our churches, charities and communities

Full-Day Seminar with Training Guide: $100*
Member/License discounts apply
What is new on our school?
Our updated webinar on Bullying by Mollie Sitwell, OCT:

Visit our online school now
Meet Cathy!
Cathy Price (along with Mollie Sitwell) will be
leading our Special Interest Webinar this month:

Risks one might encounter when
working with people with disabilities.
Cathy Price works as a Lead Trainer at Variety Village, where she coordinates all multi-sensory activities as well has spearheaded the development of the Variety Village online outreach program during the Global Pandemic. She introduced Crisis Prevention Intervention to Variety Village and co-ordinates the Ability in Action Program that has encompassed in-house and off-site programming promoting Inclusion, Accessibility and Adaptive Sport with both the TDSB, TDCSB, YRDSB, DDSB as well as a number of prestigious private schools around the GTA taking part.
In 2016 Cathy became a certified trainer with Plan to Protect implementing this important training to Variety Village. In 2018 she received her Administrator/Leader level 1 certification and in 2022 became a National Trainer with Plan to Protect.
Join Cathy Price and Mollie Sitwell
April 4, 2023, at 12:00 - 1:00pm Eastern Time
Special Interest Webinar: Risks one might encounter when working with people with disabilities
During our Deeper Dive series of seminars in 2023, we will showcase our updated Plan to Protect® manual, best practices, and standard of care that every organization serving the vulnerable sector should embrace.

In this webinar, we will unpack what you need to know to meet insurance requirements for training and equip your staff and volunteers to safeguard your people.
April 11, 2023
12:30pm - 1:00pm Eastern Time

Learn the basics and standard of Plan to Protect. This is a complimentary webinar. Register to participate LIVE with Q&A time, or to receive access to an instant replay.

for details and registration.
April 27, 2023
8:00pm - 9:30pm Eastern Time

Great for individuals and groups who need to be refreshed in Plan to Protect® policies and procedures.

for details and registration.
April 29, 2023
1:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time

Join us for this two hour orientation training covering awareness of abuse, prevention, reporting and response and so much more!

for details and registration.
50 Scholarships Available!
We currently have 50 scholarships available for policy and training to assist organizations that have a high population of elderly people. Priorities include low-income churches/charities primarily serving a population of seniors 65 years of age and older. Grant applications are being received between April 1st to June 30th, 2023. Please provide the organization's and applicant's contact information, along with a compelling case for why you should be considered for the scholarship. All submissions should be sent to mtropiano@plantoprotect.com
April Special!
Are you prepared for a crisis? 

During the month of April either register for the Crisis Response and Management Course or purchase a customized Crisis Response Plan and SAVE 25%* 
The Course: 
It’s something no organization or leader wishes to think about or indeed has time to contemplate. But in today’s frenzied world, it is likely that you and your organization will one day come face to face with a crisis of one kind or another. It’s not a question of if; it’s a question of when. A member of your staff or someone closely connected to you is arrested and charged with a serious offence. Or you are attacked online, verbally or even physically. A politician or public figure attacks you in a public way. An accusation or allegation is lobbied against your organization or staff/volunteer member. The media comes calling. What would you do? Are you ready to Plan to Protect®?
This course is designed for board members and senior leadership in organizations that work with or serve the vulnerable sector. We will address crisis response and management prior to the crisis, hearing about a crisis – the first 24 hours, when the media calls – in the eye of the storm, after the storm dies down and managing a crisis of vulnerable sector abuse and harassment.
Through readings, video instruction and course assignments, participants will learn how to respond to and manage a crisis Participants will receive downloadable resources, feedback and support. Let’s raise the bar on protection!

SRP: $449 plus tax. 
The Plan:
Your time is precious, and your great intentions to develop a crisis plan are often put on the back burner. However, none of us know when a crisis will hit. As you have entrusted the development of your policies to Protect, you can commission us to customize a Crisis Response Plan on your behalf. A Crisis Response Plan is a roadmap to navigate a crisis from start to finish. This project falls under our consulting division. Please reach out to Melodie Bissell for a quote at mbissell@plantoprotect.com 

Terms:
Registration and purchase must be complete before April 30, 2023
License discounts apply.
Our record state that you are not a member of Plan to Protect-- you can become one today and receive additional savings. CLICK HERE