Safeguarding is foundational to protecting and supporting people in your organisation, especially those who are vulnerable. Despite the concept not being new, there are still a lot of myths about safeguarding and what it means. These misconceptions can interfere with good practice, so let's clear things up by debunking seven of these common myths.
Myth 1: Safeguarding is only for kids
Safeguarding isn't just about protecting children; it's for everyone. Adults, young people and children. Whatever their age, stage, ability, background – all people in our organisations, churches and charities need protection from abuse and harm.
Myth 2: Only professionals need to worry about safeguarding
Safeguarding is a team effort. While most organisations have a Safeguarding Lead person, it's not just on those people to protect us. Leaders, employees, volunteers, attendees – all of us have a role to play in our communities. All of us need to care about creating safe places, and be equipped to look out for possible issues, and know how to report them. If you don’t have this understanding, speak to your safeguarding lead and ask for training.
Myth 3: Safeguarding is just about stopping physical harm
Safeguarding covers physical abuse, but it also covers emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual and neglectful harm too. Knowing the signs of abuse or harm, and how to report them is essential.
Myth 4: We should trust people, safeguarding makes us suspicious
Trust is important, but safeguarding is about being aware that sometimes things can go wrong. Churches and charities for example, are open to many types of people who are unknown to us, therefore we need to take relevant steps to prevent problems. Creating a safe environment with good safeguarding practices helps us to feel safe, and trust the communities we are part of, while also preventing abuse and exploitation.
Myth 5: Safeguarding policies are bureaucratic and unnecessary
Safeguarding policies give us a plan to create safe spaces. They help figure out risks, and deal with them. They give us a way to report problems, and make sure issues are responding to quickly and without causing further harm.
Myth 6: Safeguarding is extra-scriptural and doesn’t apply to churches or faith groups
We are used to the idea of safeguarding practices in places like – schools, hospitals, and in social or sports club. But some people are uncomfortable with the idea of safeguarding in churches or faith communities. Faith settings are quite unique in that their doors are open to literally anyone, and this is how it should be. But it means we need to take extra care to look out for one another in an appropriate way. Sadly evidence shows us that just because a faith group have strong moral and or spiritual principles doesn’t mean they are immune from abuse or harm. For Christians we have developed A Theology for Safeguarding which helps to bring some biblical context to safeguarding.
Myth 7: Safeguarding is a one-time thing.
It’s not enough to create a policy and assume you’re covered. Good safeguarding is an ongoing thing. We need to keep learning, staying aware, and adjusting to new information and legislation that pops up. Regular training and updates are key to keeping places safe.
Dispelling these myths is crucial for fostering a better understanding of safeguarding and how to do it well. By recognising the broad scope of safeguarding and understanding its ongoing nature, we can collectively work towards creating safer places, that prioritise well-being for everyone.
