Safeguarding & Legal Alignment
These materials are designed to support safeguarding culture, duty of care, and prevention—while remaining clearly distinct from policy, investigation, and legal compliance.
This page explains how the Boundaries Are Allowed books align with common safeguarding expectations in churches, schools, and other child-serving institutions.
What these materials support
- Duty of care and reasonable prevention
- Clear expectations around adult responsibility and power
- Visibility, supervision, and limits on private access
- Early escalation and help-seeking culture
- Trauma-informed, non-retaliatory response norms
What these materials do not replace
- Mandatory reporting laws
- Denominational or organizational safeguarding policies
- Background checks or screening processes
- Professional investigation or legal response
- Legal or pastoral decision-making authority
Safeguarding principles reflected in the books
Adults with authority, access, or influence carry greater responsibility to limit their own behavior and proximity.
Harm prevention focuses on structure and environment, not on proving motive or waiting for certainty.
Public spaces, shared oversight, and clear boundaries reduce risk and protect both children and adults.
Children, disclosure, and adult responsibility
The children’s book provides permission-based language that supports help-seeking without encouraging disclosure or placing responsibility on children to manage adult behavior.
When concerns arise
If a child or adult expresses concern, discomfort, or harm, institutions must follow their established safeguarding procedures and all applicable law.
These materials are not a decision-making shortcut. They are designed to support clarity and early recognition, not to replace formal response.
- Take concerns seriously, even when details are unclear
- Avoid private handling or informal resolution
- Document and escalate according to policy
- Do not retaliate or pressure for silence
This site and the Boundaries Are Allowed books do not provide legal advice. Institutions are responsible for complying with all applicable civil law, mandatory reporting requirements, and denominational or organizational policy. When in doubt, consult qualified legal counsel or safeguarding professionals.
