Thread by @GeorgiaXCross

INFILTRATION: okay, a bit of dust has settled so I'm going to try to explain one particular aspect of why the way organisations react to having #safeguarding concerns raised with them is important. This thread is inspired by recent events but is not about them specifically.

The risk to children is ever present. The National Crime Agency's most recent estimate is that there are between 550,000 and 850,000 people (almost all of them men) who pose a risk to children IN THE UK ALONE.
standard.co.uk/news/uk/nca-fa…

Men who abuse children don't go about wearing dirty old macs. They are often charismatic, engaging, and charming. They work hard to gain trust. They do good deeds. You'll like them. These men circle anywhere children or their parents are, working out ways to gain access.

They are patient. They test and push boundaries carefully and slowly. And little by little, they insinuate themselves into positions of trust where they have access either directly to children or through their parents.

If you are part of any group working with or advocating for children, you need to be aware of this. And perhaps, one day, someone who is part of your group says or does something that others raise concerns with you about.

It might just be an off colour joke that landed wrong. Or it might be something not meant but a bit extreme said in the heat of the moment during an argument. Or it might be a naive misunderstanding of #safeguarding. Or it might be a serious red flag.

It doesn't matter which. Because you work with or for children and opportunist predators are observing and assessing - can I infiltrate this group? Will they notice? Are they on the ball? If you're on the ball, they'll walk away. Look somewhere else.

If you ignore #safeguarding concerns raised privately and those concerned end up challenging you directly in public in frustration, what you have done is advertise a flashing neon sign: INFILTRATING ABUSERS WELCOME HERE..

If you say, "How dare you? Our group member is pure of heart and has our complete trust regardless of what you say," you have shown that charming, charismatic abuser observing you a flashing neon sign: INFILTRATING ABUSERS WELCOME HERE..

If you say, "We work with parents not directly with children so don't need to take child #safeguarding into account," what you have done is advertise a flashing neon sign: INFILTRATING ABUSERS WELCOME HERE.

Grooming parents and other people who work with children is an intrinsic part of child abuse because it is they who give access to children. It could be the brilliant sports coach, the committed teacher. Or the lovely boyfriend a single mother found on a dating app.

If you discredit women who raise concerns by smearing them, patronising them with the sexist assumption they don't know what they're talking about or construct conspiracy theories about them, what you've done is advertise a flashing neon sign: INFILTRATING ABUSERS WELCOME HERE..

Back to your person who slipped up. The outcome might be that you simply need a conversation. Or you might impose a social media policy. You might mandate #safeguarding training. You might need to part ways. It depends.

But whichever is needed, what's important is that you have not hung out that neon sign blaring out to every observing predator: INFILTRATING ABUSERS WELCOME HERE.

It doesn't matter how good your intentions are. Intentions are no defence against predatory infiltrators. Good #safeguarding IS. Finally, please take a few minutes to watch this video.