“53.
Safeguarding Issues for Alcoholics
Anonymous
The
current climate of anxiety about the vulnerability of children and
adults with special needs has led to a strong emphasis on
“Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults”. (1)
In
Alcoholics Anonymous we might at first sight dismiss any of the
issues emerging from this as none of our business and as something
which will not apply to the Fellowship: we are after all protected by
the Traditions which give us clear boundaries from the Agencies which
have to take Safeguarding considerations into account
(i.e.
Health, Education etc.) (2)
Increasingly,
however, as many in Service roles will know, we are being asked if we
have had “CRB Checks” and do we have a “policy” on
safeguarding? This can only continue as more and more agencies come
under scrutiny: the Catholic Church for example now has to deal with
a failure to take account with its safeguarding failures at an
earlier stage.
We
could say:
1.
We are not an “agency/organisation” for children. Anyone who
approaches AA is an adult. Children are not legally entitled to drink
until they are 18.
2.
On any visits to school or contact with children, it is the
responsibility of the school/agency we are working with to ensure
they follow their own safeguarding guidelines. Usually they will
ensure no contact between members of the Fellowship and children
without a member of staff being present at all times. Name badges
(Visitor ID) to be worn at all times etc.
3.
On 12th Step calls to adults we will ensure that more than one member
of the Fellowship is present and 12th stepping is done by the same
sex as the person visited. Children under 18 can only be seen with
parents present.
The
above are common sense approaches which I am sure will be immediately
clear to AA members but do we always follow them?
The
answer is probably not and sooner or later we may be faced with an
allegation or complaint of abuse or failure in a duty of care at some
level.
My
question to AA is: Do we need to consider the recent rise in
Safeguarding Measures and decide whether or not AA should have a
policy which protects the Fellowship from risk or scandal?
(1)
“Every Child Matters” 2003: Children Act 2004 Lord Laming Report:
2006 “Working Together”, “Multi‐Agency Local Safeguarding
Children Boards” (LSCBs)
“...A
duty on all agencies to make arrangements to safeguard and promote
the welfare of children.” 2010: “Working Together to Safeguard
Children”.
(2)
The 12 Traditions “Alcoholics Anonymous” The Big Book
“Twelve
Steps and Twelve Traditions” (1952).
Terms
of Reference No. 7 The Traditions and Concepts and information
contained within existing literature, such as the Structure and
Service Handbooks for Great Britain provide guidance on keeping our
fellowship out of public controversy. There is also a guidance issued
by the General Service Board in January 2013 which refers to
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. This guidance will be
published in the next edition of AA
Service News.”
Comment:
Some excellent points here. But as indicated the guidance already
largely exists; it just has to be implemented. See below for the
relevant legislation (in particular relating to vulnerable adults):
See
here
for a full list of other questions that didn't quite get through the
'filter'
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
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