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Abstract
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The Narrative Matters essay by Blair Sadler (Sep 2011) should be required reading for the leaders of any institution caring for children. Recently many institutions—including major universities, religious organizations, and school systems—have stumbled and bumbled when confronted with the evils of child exploitation.
If only they had followed the principled list of priorities developed by Sadler when a staff member at what was then called Children’s Hospital, in San Diego, was suspected of inappropriately photographing and molesting children: safeguard children; actively support law enforcement officials in their investigation; notify hospital leaders and build an effective response team; develop a trauma counseling plan for patients and their families; and prepare an honest and open response for the public. This should be the blueprint used by any organization when sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of children is suspected.
In response to the crisis, Children’s Hospital immediately notified the families of any patients who might have been violated. The hospital was open and honest with the public. Most refreshingly, the hospital’s administration not only cooperated with law enforcement but also supported the police agency’s work and respected its professionalism. Many administrators of children’s hospitals seem to regard law enforcement and child protective service agencies as adversaries.
The fact that Children’s Hospital houses a world-class child protection program certainly must have helped the institution respond by doing the right things. The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions has recently published guidance on the role of children’s hospitals in protecting children from maltreatment.1 Its recommendations should be adopted by any health care institution caring for children and adolescents.
Language: en |