The Rock and the Hard Place Blog

A discourse between Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about restoration following abuse and trauma.

A discourse between Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about job descriptions and how they can apply differently in a ministerial or mission environment.

A discussion between Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about psychological assessments for missionary candidates and what can be done in the interview process, how to do it, what information to ask, and whether it can be done in a nondiscriminatory fashion.

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about social media, networking, and employment.

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about GINA (the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) and how it can impact prefield screening.

A discourse between Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about when missions think that a family needs receive counseling, but the family doesn't want to go.

A multi-chapter resource by Theresa Lynn Sidebotham, Esq. and Dr. Brent Lindquist about whistle-blowing and retaliation, and how important it is to have good policies and an internal investigation process.

Therapeutic processes and legal processes are different. Certain things are appropriate in the therapeutic process that are not acceptable in a legal process. Absolute factual accuracy is not the primary goal of therapy. In the world of an investigation, with livelihood and organizational survival on the line, impartial factual accuracy is very important.

I am always amazed at how easy these management issues become once an organization (or family) implements them. I got to thinking about some of the ways a parent can act and relate that can help prepare their child to not be abused. I think of four behaviors right away: 1) On the radar, 2) Chatter, 3) Buddy, and 4) Touch.

For abuse to happen, three factors must be present. First, there must be a perpetrator who desires to abuse. Second, there must be a child who will take the role of a victim. Third, there must be an environment that provides enough privacy for the perpetrator to act. If prevention and training can stop any one of the three factors necessary for child sexual abuse, the abuse will not happen.