Supporting those who may pose a risk

A person who may pose a risk - meaning someone whose past or alleged behaviours, whether substantiated or not, suggest a potential for harm to others - must be supported by individuals who can help them engage safely with your organisation, while also ensuring their pastoral needs are appropriately met. 

It is important that any help and support your organisation does offer, as part of managing the risks that may be posed by the person, is not seen as a substitute for working with statutory agencies or the police. 

Some people that may pose a risk and who look to engage with your organisation will be doing so because they are looking for support to address their behaviour and want to engage positively with the activities and services you're offering. However, there will be others who are motivated by seeking contact with children, young people or adults at risk to abuse them. These realities need to be carefully balanced in a non-judgemental way when considering how best to support people.

A Support and Accountability Group should be set-up, particularly for high-risk individuals, which can provide the necessary support, and monitoring needs the person will have, and so that responsibility doesn't fall all on one person.

What type of support may be needed?

The individual may need pastoral care to help them deal with the spiritual and emotional aspects of their life.

Some perpetrators may not fully understand the impact of their behaviour on the people they have hurt or abused. They may need help to understand that they have no inherent right to be forgiven by those they have harmed.

Some organisations may have the capacity to help the individual with practical matters such as finding accommodation or work.

Support for others involved

In some cases, there will be a family member or friend helping the individual to take positive steps to address their behaviour and to comply with an agreement or monitoring requirements. Your organisation may want to consider what support you could offer to them also in what is likely to be a difficult and stressful situation.