Protection from false accusations

“Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you.”

• Youth or adults that will willfully try to destroy you are rare, but they do exist
• To protect against such, you need a balance between paranoia and good sense.
• Don't let fear of such people make your ministry less effective. Risk cannot be completely eliminated no matter what you do.
• A few precautions can take care of most possibilities.
• Take the advice about not ever being completely alone with a student, etc.
• I have kept my paper pocket calendars (non-volatile!) for 30 years. I can say where I was and when for 30 years back.
• I keep all old email, even “trash.”
• Periodically I go through and remove sections of emails from vendors or other irrelevant correspondents.
• When my trash and sent boxes get really large I spin then off (“Old Trash2”) and start with new, empty copies of these folders.
• When instant messaging was common I saved logs of all conversations.
• I've not worked out a good way of tracking Facebook conversations, but I do have notices sent to me as emails which are then automatically saved.
• I usually send text messages via SMS from my emailer (and it is therefore captured in my “Sent” box)
• These precautions don't take any time or resources but preserve records, if needed.
• I make sure the kids and parents know that I'm cautious in this way.