Predator Behaviors Are Often Repeatable: Protecting Your Ministry with Effective Screening Policies
In any ministry, safeguarding your congregation should be a top priority. One critical truth often overlooked is that predator behaviors are often repeatable and look for easy access. Recognizing this pattern and taking preventative action can help protect your ministry from preventable harm.
Why Predator Behaviors Are Often Repeatable
Statistics and research on predator behavior reveal a concerning reality: many predators follow repeatable patterns to gain quick and easy access. This is especially true for individuals who target children or vulnerable adults.
For instance:
Grooming Behaviors: Predators often use similar strategies to build trust with their victims, such as offering special attention, gifts, or privileges to minors experiencing emotional, mental or physical distress.
Quick Access to Vulnerable Groups: Predators may intentionally seek roles that provide access to children or vulnerable individuals, such as volunteering in youth ministries or daycare programs where they can isolate children and youth.
Criminal Histories: Many predators have past offenses that may surface during a background check or arrest history that can give a “whisper behavior” of concern.
This is why background screening and regular training on sexual abuse prevention for staff and volunteers are critical in identifying and addressing potential risks.
The Role of Background Checks in Preventing Repeated Behaviors
A robust ministry background check policy is one of the most effective tools for identifying individuals with histories of inappropriate or harmful behavior. Here’s how:
Detecting Criminal Records: A comprehensive background check can reveal past offenses, including crimes against children or violent acts.
Deterring those with a Criminal History: Simply requiring a background check can be enough to deter predators from seeking further access as often they will move on to an easier target at another ministry.
Arrest History: Ministry Defender Solutions has a unique ability to look at arrest history over the last decade and report on all volunteer background checks. This means you won’t be limited to court convictions to paint a better picture of a person’s past.
Creating a Culture of Awareness
While background checks are essential, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Creating a culture of safety within your ministry means equipping staff and volunteers with the knowledge to recognize and respond to concerning behaviors.
Here are some steps to help:
Training Volunteers on Warning Signs: Educate your team on behaviors like excessive favoritism, isolating children, or pushing established policies and procedures.
Setting Clear Boundaries: Create policies that define appropriate touch, acceptable forms of verbal affirmation, and bathroom procedures.
Regular Policy Reviews: Update your safety protocols regularly to address emerging risks and ensure they align with current best practices. Audits to see if policies are being followed should be conducted every 6 months.
How to Get Started
Preventing repeatable predator behaviors in your ministry starts with the right policies and vetting process. Here’s how you can take action today:
Implement Background Screening and Rescreening for Ministry Volunteers: Not all background checks are the same! Finding a thorough and cost effective screening and rescreening policy for all volunteers that serve children and youth as well as staff and safety team is an essential first line of defense.
Develop a Comprehensive Vetting Process: Applications, interviews, and references are vital to ensure you know who is serving in your ministry. It is also a great way to get to know volunteers and staff personally while identifying their gifts and passions so they can make a bigger Kingdom Impact.
Establish a Six Month Rule: Volunteers should be a part of your church family to some degree for at least 6 months before serving children and youth. Because predators want quick access to vulnerable populations, many will leave and go elsewhere when they learn quick access isn’t available.
Final Thoughts
Predator behaviors are often repeatable, but your ministry has the power to break the cycle. By implementing a proactive safety policy that includes background checks, training on grooming behaviors, and a thorough vetting practice, you can significantly reduce the risk to your congregation and ensure you are not a weak target that attracts predators with ill intentions.
At Ministry Defender Solutions, we specialize in helping ministries like yours protect the people you love. We are committed to helping your ministry stay safe and on mission. Contact us today to learn how our background screening services and child sexual abuse prevention training can support your ministry’s mission of safety and trust.
