[Ansteorra] background checks

Wed May 16 11:00:31 PDT 2007

Sorry I know I said I would let this go but just to point one thing out.  We can think what wer want but the SCA is not implementing background checks to save the children.  It is something to add in order to further distance themselves from litigation.  This way if they are sued again for something similar they can say well we did all we could, including background checks, to prevent it.  So short of banning all children be a diligent and pay attention to your children.  

  Ulf

Faelan Caimbeul <faelancaimbeul at gmail.com> wrote:
  Here's the underlying problem. Sure, the MOC might be safer, but what about
the 600+ other people at the event? I'm just guessing here, but I think the
majority of these sexual predator problems are with people NOT in any
official position; the guy on the internet, the guy on the street, the guy
who snatches kids from schools, the weirdo at the game arcade, the trusted
family member or family friend . . . My point is we can do all the
background checks, investigations and anal probes of people we want and it
probably won't make any difference. As many have said already, sexual
predators, like serial killers and drug dealers, don't wear an ID badge and
are certainly not going to submit to any check, of any kind. This is why the
law enforcement has such a hard time finding them, and admits they probably
can't catch most of them (among other reasons I shant get into).

A great number of people, who are perfectly honest, would be offended and/or
feel violated at the mear mention taking such a check from people they
consider their friends. I really think the whole idea will cause FAR more
problems than it solves. Fear and paranoia can rip a society appart faster
than anything.

I think the best solution is still to be wary. Protect your children,
protect those around you, by paying attention and being vigilant. In the
end, it's the only real defense/assurance any of us have from harm of any
kind. Can't we all just watch each other's backs and get along?

Faelan

On 5/16/07, Judie Willey 
wrote:
>
> Frankly I think that those working with kids should have to be
> fingerprinted, just as they are for the schools, boy and girl scouts etc.
> You can never bee too safe when it comes to the kids.
> My 2 shekels
> Hadassah
>
>
> On 5/15/07, Lori Campbell wrote:
> >
> > > Caelin said:
> > > Let us not get into the situation where we investigate everyone for
> > > everything.
> >
> > Ah, but what today's board institutes in moderation, subsequent
> > generations will allow in excess. I'm not just being flippant either.
> >
> >
> > I wouldn't be surprised at all to someday see background checks
> > required to hold an SCA exchequer's position (you know, just to make
> > sure anyone who has ever written a bad check isn't made a group
> > treasurer...)
> >
> > Come to think of it... maybe seneschals should have background checks
> > too. I mean, if they can't obey posted speed limit signs how on earth
> > can they enforce Kingdom Laws. Oh, and fighters should have background
> > checks before they get their authorization cards... I mean, if there is
> > any history of criminal violence in their past they really shouldn't be
> > allowed to hit anyone with a stick... And those folks preparing feast?
> > They need at least a food handler's license. And kitchens where we
> > prepare food
 those need to have passed a recent inspection...
> >
> > Bleah.
> >
> > All joking aside, the only thing having corporate execute a 3rd party
> > background check will accomplish is to cover the corporate backside in
> > the event of future lawsuits.
> >
> > A $10 pass/fail check isn't worth the paper it is printed on. Or maybe
> > it is. What you get for your money is someone else to type that name
> > into one of the search engines that was just listed for state sex
> > offender registries. I guess it would prove, at least, that our
> > organization cared enough to check that registry prior to making
> > someone a "youth activities" officer.
> >
> > The only national background check worth anything at all is obtained
> > thru the FBI database (the only nationwide criminal record database).
> > Unfortunately it is only available to law enforcement agencies and a
> > few organizations who have successfully sought legislation for the
> > right to access it (perhaps Boy Scouts is one). Even if we were
> > somehow to find a way to access it, I guarantee it wouldn't be cheap.
> > Even the OSBI pays for FBI record checks. I think $30 per check was the
> > last figure I saw, but it might've changed since then. And this is a
> > real, fingerprint/social security number based check.
> >
> > Seriously, I'm actually more afraid that the idea corporate is
> > executing background checks will lull people into a false sense of
> > security and they won't be as vigilant. I don't think true predators
> > need to hold an official SCA office to find vulnerable kids.
> >
> > ~ Kat MacLochlainn
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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>
>
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