As national headlines have tragically reminded us over the past year, all organizations that work with children, nonprofits included, should be taking a hard look at their policies around child safety, so that no child has to face the kind of systemic abuse we’ve seen exposed.
Now is not the time to bury our heads in the sand and hope it doesn’t happen to any of our kids. We must act, and seeking input from experts is one way to fortify our defenses.
One in ten children will be abused in some way before they are 18. As an organization that works with at-risk youth, we know that abuse and mistreatment are a reality for too many children. But for children with disabilities, that number goes up to 3 in 10. That statistic should put a knot in your stomach. It is up to us as adults to take action to ensure this does not happen on our watch.
The Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children is doing just that: taking action and filling an important gap in protection of children with disabilities. Based on its expertise in child abuse prevention, BBF recently announced that it has begun working with Special Olympics International to help the organization update its existing policies and best practices, conduct training, and implement new standard operating procedures. Through this partnership, BBF will lend its team of child protection experts with years of experience in training, education, and litigation to Special Olympics International to further help prevent child abuse just as it has done for law enforcement, educators, healthcare providers, and thousands of others across the country.
For 50 years, Special Olympics has transformed the lives of children with intellectual disabilities. Its work has meant always implementing the most robust child protection policies, so it is only natural that it should continue to further strengthen its defenses against those who would cause harm to children and all people with intellectual disabilities. With BBF, Special Olympics will review its policies and training, updating them as needed, in order to best protect Special Olympics athletes.
Founded to carry on the life’s work of former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, BBF believes that child abuse can be prevented through effectively educating adults and children, developing the next generation of child welfare professionals and strengthening child protection laws around the country. For them, filling the gap of abuse prevention for children with disabilities is a logical and crucial next step in the fight to protect our kids.
At the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, we couldn’t think of a more timely or important partnership. Through our programming, we aim to share the benefits of sports with as many kids as possible. We believe it is important to offer this experience to children of all abilities, so they can all learn the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. These values are especially important for those with disabilities, and the camaraderie that comes with being on a team also builds positive self-esteem and a sense of achievement. But without the proper protections in place, all of these benefits can be destroyed with one evil act.
Special Olympics International and BBF are deeply committed to both these values and stronger protections. By filling a major gap in the protection of children and focusing its efforts on children with disabilities, BBF is setting a new gold standard for child abuse prevention.
The knowledge and expertise they bring to our programs will help keep kids, particularly those whose disabilities make them vulnerable, out of harm’s way. Our hope is for all of our youth participants to enjoy the benefits of sports and recreation in a safe, affirming environment where they are cared for and supported. We believe this partnership is an important step toward that goal and that it will give even more kids the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons through the power of sports.
Steve Salem is the president and CEO of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and former vice president of government relations for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Salem also sits on the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Robbie Callaway, who serves on the board of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, previously served for 24 years at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and was a founding board member of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
