What are the risks?

What are the risks?

Organisations that welcome everyone may include individuals who may pose a risk — those whose past or alleged behaviours, whether substantiated or not, suggest a potential for harm to others.  

Some of the areas of risk include: 

Re-offending

Some harmful and abusive behaviours are highly addictive and persistent in nature, for example some sexual offences. The risk may persist even when a person is sorry, has had treatment or has received pastoral support such as prayer ministry. Due to the nature of the offences, there may be ongoing risks, and they should not be put in a position that may make the chances of reoffending more difficult to resist. 

Opportunities for grooming

Organisations that welcome everyone—where adults and children mix freely—can sometimes attract people who want to harm others. This includes those who may try to get close to children, young people, or adults at risk in order to abuse them. Without the right safeguarding measures in place, the risk of grooming becomes much higher. 

Cultural understanding of offenders

Sometimes, people don’t fully understand the behaviour of those who commit sexual offences. In some communities, there may be a strong belief that this kind of abuse doesn’t happen within their culture, faith group, or place of worship. But this belief can be risky. If people think abuse “wouldn’t happen here,” they may not put the right safeguards in place—and that can leave others vulnerable to harm. 

Beliefs about forgiveness

For some religious or faith-based organisations where beliefs of universal forgiveness, acceptance and restitution are held, this can mean that where a person demonstrates 'repentance' or behaviours in line with faith teachings that they are safe to be in a position of trust within that community. This can increase the risk of the person re-offending.