[Artemisia] Re: Background Checks

[Kevin]

Konnichi wa,
   
  I am going to weigh-in on this discussion even though I told myself to stay out of it. 
   
  For those of you who don't know me I am Lord Minamoto Genkuro Kagetane of Sentinels' Keep. I am a single father of two small children, Cub Scout Den Leader, and an aspiring high school science teacher. To put it bluntly I work with kids...alot.
   
  Anyone who is in my position whill tell you that the background checks should be required for anyone who has the potential of coming into close contact with children. It serves two purposes. It protects the children and protects the Society.
   
  Is it harmful to anyone? No. Only if they fail the check in which case I have to wonder if we really want them around anyway. Yes, I have seen the squeeling about statutory rape can be slapped on anyone and it doesn't make them a criminal. Wrong. It does. They chose not to abide by the laws of the land. Does it equate to Justice? Can't tell you but a bit of intelligence and forthought on their part would have prevented it I am sure.
   
  Personally, if a person has a problem with taking a background check prior to being closely involved in childrens activities then is this a person you want in close contact with your children on any level? Think about it. Do you want to put the chance of having the Society embroiled in a mess and becoming disbanded because one of your "friends" that was in charge of childrens activities was a serial child molester/rapist who preyed on the children in their charge? I think not.
   
  From what I understand of this it only involves those who will or could potentially be in close contact with our minor children. It is not meant to be exclusionary of anyone in other activities. As such I can't see it as a bad thing. Also I am not so sure that statuatory rape charges show up on these checks  since they are all too often a gray area,but perhaps someone could ask a law enforcement officer?
   
  Sincerely;
   
  Kuro
   
   
   
  
artemisia-request at lists.gallowglass.org wrote:
  
9. RE: Re: Background Checks (Dame Theodora)


Message: 9
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:39:21 -0800
From: Dame Theodora 
Subject: RE: [Artemisia] Re: Background Checks
To: Kingdom of Artemisia mailing list

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

We are not talking about eliminating categories of people from participating in the SCA. We are talking about exercising due diligence to show that we are doing what we can to make sure that child predators are not put in a position to supervise children. As of this time, those are the only people expected to be part of a background check.

If we do not do this, and someone decides to sue because their child was harmed by someone with a criminal record who was in charge of children's activities, they will have a good chance to win. A large cost lawsuit could jeopardize the Society as a whole. 

As a Seneschal, I am relieved that there will be a background check process. It is an objective means to evaluate a very delicate situation. The same criteria will be applied to everyone. 

I am aware that this does not address situations where someone hasn't been caught or prosecuted, but it is a step in the right direction, in my opinion. I am also not looking for a witch hunt. I know several people who are registered sex offenders. But they are not seeking positions of authority with the children of the SCA.


~Theodora
Seneschal, Loch Salann

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Theodora of Trebizond, OP
Loch Salann, Artemisia
"Efficio Novae Res"



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