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  • Plan to Protect® against Coronaviruses

    Plan to Protect® Through Cornaviruses! February 4, 2020
    Filed Under:
    Case Study
    Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

    Public arenas such as churches, schools, community agencies play an important role in protecting the health of community members, through their response, public awareness announcement, educational role, their own modelled health behaviours and their informed decision-making.

    On December 31, 2019, Chinese health authorities identified a new (or novel) coronavirus (referred to as 2019-nCoV) through a series of reported cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The disease is now spreading and has made its way to Africa, North America and Europe.

    This past weekend I observed three varying responses to the virus which concerned me:
    1. I observed a group of elementary children being lectured for 20 minutes on the threat of the disease, the likelihood that either they or their family members will be exposed to it, how contagious it is and that there is a 14% chance that if a family member gets it they will die;
    2. I learned of a single mother who was sent home from work and told she must stay home on unpaid leave for two weeks because a family member had recently returned from Hong Kong;
    3. I also read a social media group spreading many myths about the disease and cautioning everyone to avoid interacting with anyone of Asian descent. 


    In an effort to provide safety and protection, I encourage you to view health and safety from a broad and holistic perspective still embracing a compassionate and inclusive approach where we refrain from discrimination, undue hardship and causing fear and stress. 

  • Artist: Indonesian Artist Mimi N

    What’s Wrong With Our World?

    February 2, 2020 Tori Bissell
    Filed Under:
    Abuse Awareness

    What if we taught kids to look at cyberbullying like this? What if we helped them see that the words, photos, actions and things they do online hurt just as much (if not more), than if they did it physically? What if we helped adults to see that their words and online actions are teaching our kids how to behave online? What if we could actually...

  • Creating memories at Christmas!

    Creating Memories at Christmas! December 9, 2019
    Filed Under:
    Vulnerable Sector

    As we gather together to celebrate Christmas and the holidays, we are mindful that for many of you, this is really a busy time of year. Whether you visit shut-ins, serve meals, hold special services, dress up as Santa and give gifts, you are spreading joy. Your generosity and warmth will be felt by many. Thank you for the investment you make in sharing Christmas joy, love, and hope with others.  

    At Plan to Protect ®, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! We hope you have a very joyful holiday. We are so grateful for your partnership and business!  

    Speaking of which, many of you have partnered with us because of our commitment to help you reduce risk in your organizations and communities. Therefore, we want to remind you that the holidays are not cheerful for everyone. Families struggling to feed themselves today will likely struggle at Christmas. A child fearful of a parent or family member will probably still fear them during the special days of the year. Possibly even more so. Often more alcohol than usual is flowing, which can intensify abuse, anger, and harm. 

  • Can We Use Restraints?

    What do we do if parents/guardians request compression hugs or restraints for their loved ones? October 31, 2019 Kate McCullough
    Filed Under:
    Policies and Procedures, Vulnerable Sector
    This article was originally printed in the spring winter issue of  PROTECT .

    Physical restraints have long posed an ethical dilemma in mental health services in North America. On one hand, they help prevent self-injury or harm to others. On the other, they can increase agitation, confusion, and distrust due to their coercive nature. What...
  • Why I Didn't Say Anything by Sheldon Kennedy

    Book Recommendation -- Why I Didn't Say Anything

    Book Recommendation -- Why I Didn't Say Anything by Sheldon Kennedy August 30, 2019
    Filed Under:
    Abuse Awareness

    A conversation at a kitchen table:

    Son: Mom, I don't want to play hockey anymore!

    Dad: What are you talking about? You love hockey!

    Son: I don't want to play anymore; it's no longer fun! 

    Mom: Of course, you have fun!

    Son: I don't want to go to any more tournaments!

    Dad: You can't let your team down!

    Son: I'm done!

    Mom: Do you know how much money we have invested in your hockey! You can't quit now. You are headed to professionals. 

    Son: I don't like the coach!

    Dad: Don't talk about your coach like that! Do you know how much that man has done for you boys! You are one of his favourite players! You be thankful – and show him your gratitude! 

    Can you not hear this conversation happening at dinner tables across North America! Certainly, as it relates to hockey, in hundreds of Canadian homes. 

  • Invisible Target: Breaking the Cycle of Educator Sexual Abuse

    My middle school teacher molested me.

    Book Recommendations -- Invisible Target: Breaking the Cycle of Educator Sexual Abuse August 21, 2019 Andrea Clemens
    Filed Under:
    Abuse Awareness

    “My middle school teacher molested me.

    How is it possible for those words to be written?  One would think that a school teacher, trained to educate and care for children, would be the last person able to harm a child.  Het, this man sexually abused me for years, and not a single adult came to my rescue. 

    Mr. Baker was a well-respected married man whom students loved, parents trusted, and the school awarded.  He spent two years grooming me – building up my trust, spending time listening to my problems, and showering me with much-needed attention I hadn’t received at home.  Mr. Baker was completely above suspicion that he would be capable of sexually abusing someone. 

  • We Too by Mary DeMuth

    Book Recommendations: We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis August 13, 2019
    Filed Under:
    Abuse Awareness

    Over the course of the next few weeks I am going to be highlighting some great books targeting different segments of our society where abuse is present, and unfortunately too rampant. 

    According to Mary DeMuth, “Predators permeate every strata of society. My first abusers were Boy Scouts. This man? A doctor. They infiltrate trustworthy structures like organizations, sports, and, yes, even the church.”

    If it is true that the sexual abuse crisis has permeated every corner of our world, including the church, we need a strategy to combat each strata.

    How we respond to both its menacing proliferation and the shattered hearts of survivors is vital. God beckons us to be good Samaritans to those facing trauma and sexual brokenness in the aftermath of abuse, to provide safe places to heal in community. 

    In the pages of her newest book, We Too, author and advocate Mary DeMuth encourages the church she loves to rise up and face the very real evil of sexual abuse and harassment--with candor and empathy. Based on current research and survivors' stories, along with a fierce fidelity to Scripture, DeMuth paints a realistic picture of the church's historical and present response to sexual violence, and she provides a framework of revival and surprising hope for the future.

  • Preventing tragic mistakes

    July 31, 2019 Melodie Bissell

    There is plenty of talk about the risk of getting vehicular heatstroke, particularly during the months of July and August. While the vast majority know not to leave children, vulnerable adults or pets unattended in the car, history tells us that it can and does happen – and knowing may not have anything to do with it.

    This week, we...

  • What constitutes a high-risk activity?

    July 12, 2019 Melodie Bissell
    Filed Under:
    Policies and Procedures

    According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of high risk is: likely to result in failure, harm or injury or more likely than others. 

    When assessing the risk level of an activity, assess the severity of the harm, injury or abuse: whether it is trivial (little to no effect), minor (requiring first aid), moderate (sprains,...

  • When I was a young boy, I loved September. And it wasn’t because the leaves were changing colour or because of the crisp smells in the air. It was because the first Monday of October was near, and the first Monday of October was the opening of bird hunting season in Nova Scotia.

    On that day, I knew my dad and I would take off from school...