Front page of CNN not looking too good right now..

[yankeesfan123]

"Kingsolver, 49, is one of at least 35 Disney employees arrested since 2006 and accused of sex crimes involving children, trying to meet a minor for sex, or for possession of child pornography, according to a six-month CNN investigation that examined police and court records, and interviewed law enforcement officials and some of the men who have been arrested."

A small snippet of the lead article on cnn right now. Not good...

[Dulcee]

The Walt Disney World resort employees what 70,000ish workers? Its an unfortunate fact of life that some will slip through pre-employment screening. I'd imagine at the hint of any of this disney works very closely with local authorities.

Its also important to note that the article says there has never been allegations of misconduct with a child on property or met on property.

[LittleDreamer]

It's a sensationalist piece. If you read the article Disney comes out looking pretty good. They say it's "one one-hundredth of one percent of the 300,000 people we have employed ". The last 4-5 paragraphs are also positive towards Disney.

35 people in 8 years with only 2 cases on property and no cases involving guest is a great number. I'm sure this is one Disney takes extremely seriously since it would be damaging to them. They probably aren't happy with CNN right now tho.

[kakn7294]

Those numbers are actually a minute number of the vast employee population of WDW. Articles like this sensationalize these arrests. What the public doesn't understand is that without a prior arrest, there is nothing that shows up in a background check and it's not likely that a prospective employee will admit their intentions. Disney (or any employer) will never know until an employee is caught in the act.

[Terra]

Meh, it can happen in any job. It happens with law enforcement officials, teachers, judges, politicians, and "common people". It has nothing to do with Disney.

If someone thinks it's Disney's fault then that's absurd. Now they may do [or want to do background checks]. But if the person had not been arrested before then there isn't much to go on unfortunately.

[Dulcee]

It's a sensationalist piece. If you read the article Disney comes out looking pretty good. They say it's "one one-hundredth of one percent of the 300,000 people we have employed ". The last 4-5 paragraphs are also positive towards Disney.

35 people in 8 years with only 2 cases on property and no cases involving guest is a great number. I'm sure this is one Disney takes extremely seriously since it would be damaging to them. They probably aren't happy with CNN right now tho.

Actually if you saw the interview with the county sheriff behind a lot of these arrests he praised disney for being quick to work with the department whenever asked. He also said what a few other posters said, disney (and other theme parks) can only do so much with what is allowed in pre-employment screening. Unless we change how potential employees are screened before being allowed to work closely with kids you'll always have some of these that slip through.

[SBETigg]

I expect it happens everywhere, and Disney just happens to have a high profile and the family-based reputation. Hospitals, community centers, schools... there are people everywhere who are hired without any history of such things on their record, and then arrests happen and it's news.

In CT, we had an IT professional in a school system arrested for certain activities with farm animals, and another counselor who had been secretly taping students. It's shocking, and it's sad, and we're all horrified to hear about it, but you just don't know everything about people you hire until they get caught at something. Which is why it's also important for people to be vigilant on their own behalf, and on behalf of their children.

[Polynesian Dweller]

Actually if you saw the interview with the county sheriff behind a lot of these arrests he praised disney for being quick to work with the department whenever asked. He also said what a few other posters said, disney (and other theme parks) can only do so much with what is allowed in pre-employment screening. Unless we change how potential employees are screened before being allowed to work closely with kids you'll always have some of these that slip through.

I used to do psychological assessments for the courts and over the years dealt with many pedophiles. As others have said, they worked in many different industries and companies. Potentially they are everywhere, but in very low numbers really.

As to screening procedures, if they have never been caught or suspected there is no screening that can pinpoint pedophilia. Even our most sophisticated testing (I won't mention it in a family forum so don't ask) is not reliable enough to use to identify pedophiles. So there are no changes to screening that would even approach 100% accuracy.

[princessgirls]

I just recently found out that Public School teachers in our state do not have to have Child Abuse Clearances done to get their job.

I have to do to one to work in adoption.

Interesting....
Julie:mickey:

[Dulcee]

I used to do psychological assessments for the courts and over the years dealt with many pedophiles. As others have said, they worked in many different industries and companies. Potentially they are everywhere, but in very low numbers really.

As to screening procedures, if they have never been caught or suspected there is no screening that can pinpoint pedophilia. Even our most sophisticated testing (I won't mention it in a family forum so don't ask) is not reliable enough to use to identify pedophiles. So there are no changes to screening that would even approach 100% accuracy.

True, you'll never approach even close to 100% accuracy. I'm not even sure I agree with more stringent screening to be honest but have seen suggestions that screening for employment with children should be more along the lines of those who work in things like law enforcement. Once you move into the private sector though its obviously very hard to warrant more "personal" screening for jobs.

[SBETigg]

I just recently found out that Public School teachers in our state do not have to have Child Abuse Clearances done to get their job.

I have to do to one to work in adoption.

Interesting....
Julie:mickey:

In NJ? I don't know where you heard that, but I'm pretty sure it's false. I have family in NJ and parents are supposed to go through checks to volunteer to work with kids, so I think it would be odd if teachers don't. I know in CT and MA, teachers and any adults working with kids are checked. Not that things are not missed anyway, but at least there are requirements.

Edit: A little research shows that yes, public school teachers in NJ must go through a criminal history check, and any child abuse or endangerment is a disqualifying issue for employment.

[VWL Mom]

I just recently found out that Public School teachers in our state do not have to have Child Abuse Clearances done to get their job.






Edit: A little research shows that yes, public school teachers in NJ must go through a criminal history check, and any child abuse or endangerment is a disqualifying issue for employment.

I work as a substitute secretary at our HS and just got my NJ sub teaching certificate. While we don't undergo a CARI investigation I did undergo a NJSP & FBI background check and was fingerprinted so all bases are covered.

[PirateLover]

Just another note on the NJ child abuse check debate. I have taught in both PA and NJ. PA has a separate "Child Abuse" clearance in addition to the state and FBI criminal background checks-NJ does not (or at least did not when I had to apply for my cetification 7 years ago). That being said, you still undergo significant background checks and get fingerprinted. I always felt like I was being milked for more money in PA because any child abuse history should show up on a criminal background check anyway.

[Mrs Bus Driver]

I just recently found out that Public School teachers in our state do not have to have Child Abuse Clearances done to get their job.

I have to do to one to work in adoption.

Interesting....
Julie:mickey:

I used to work for a school dist in Az. All school employees have to be fingerprinted and submit to an FBI background check. If you have a record you don't get hired. That isn't just Az that is a federal standard. As a school bus driver I went through it twice. Any how if anything shows up you don't get hired.

[Arielfan98]

Just Disney haters ;) you can't lose them all. No one is perfect, including Disney.

[joonyer]

When something like this happens with a Disney employee, it is certainly disturbing, but all parents should be reminded: Your child is far, far more likely to be abused by a family member or friend of the family, than by a stranger. While concerned parents should be vigilant, they should be watching close to home. That is where the highest danger lies. We don't like to think about it, but it's just the truth.

[Terra]

When something like this happens with a Disney employee, it is certainly disturbing, but all parents should be reminded: Your child is far, far more likely to be abused by a family member or friend of the family, than by a stranger. While concerned parents should be vigilant, they should be watching close to home. That is where the highest danger lies. We don't like to think about it, but it's just the truth.

Speaking from personal experience as a child sadly, that is true :(
I tend to keep a closer eye on things like that than with random strangers I pass in a park.