Welcome to Abuse Prevention Systems!

Your child’s safety is first priority when you

entrust your child to a service provider’s care.

Abuse Prevention Systems (APS) was created to equip child-serving organizations to protect children and youth from sexual abuse.

How does Abuse Prevention Systems equip child-serving organizations?

Working with children is a privilege, not a right. Every individual serving children should undergo a comprehensive screening process before he or she may serve.

An effective screening process includes:

  • A Safety Application, with a release signed by the applicant
  • A Face-to-face Interview conducted by trained staff members
  • Thorough References Checks from references interacting with the applicant in varying environments
  • An appropriate Criminal Background Check

How should volunteers and staff members be trained?

Every staff member and child-serving volunteer should complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. APS training equips staff members and volunteers to recognize the basic characteristics of the sexual abuser, the grooming process (the process by which an abuser chooses and prepares a child for abuse), and key indicators of sexual abuse. Abuse Prevention Systems training takes a proactive approach, equipping workers to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse.

 

Does APS recommend ‘bright line’ child protection policies?

Yes. The child protection experts at Abuse Prevention Systems created sample policies with specialized versions for various child-serving contexts such as camp, school or youth sport environments. Service providers are encouraged to tailor these sample policies to fit the specific needs of their program. ‘Bright line’ policies clearly delineate appropriate and inappropriate behaviors in child-serving settings.

 

What steps should parents take to protect children from sexual abuse?

We believe parents and child-serving organizations must work together to protect children from abuse. If you are a parent and would like to learn more, complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (1.50 hours) for a single user fee of $10. Purchase the training here.

As well, our team of experts have created a list of recommended questions for parents related to various child-serving programs such as school, camp, youth sports or child care. These questions assist in developing a clearer understanding of safety measures in place in programs or activities where your child spends time.

We encourage parents to talk to your children about sexuality at an early age, in an age-appropriate manner.

 

Does APS recommend the reporting child sexual abuse?

We are committed to helping child-serving organizations provide a safe, secure environment for children and their families. To this end, we recommend that ANY allegation or suspicion of inappropriate sexual behavior be taken seriously and reported to the appropriate child protection or law enforcement agency. WHEN IN DOUBT, REPORT.

 

Who are the founders of Abuse Prevention Systems?

Gregory Love and Kimberlee Norris are attorneys, sexual abuse experts, and the founders of Abuse Prevention Systems, providing preventative resources and counsel to child-serving organizations worldwide. Representing victims of child sexual abuse for over three decades, Love and Norris saw recurring, predictable patterns in predatory behaviors. Abuse Prevention Systems grew out of their desire to place proactive tools and trainings into the hands of child-serving organizations everywhere.