[GovernmentShrinker]

I think the LDS Church (and others, though few others are as well-organized about communicating with members) need to promulgate a no-exceptions rule against children spending the night alone with unrelated adult males. It's nice to tell the children to report sexual abuse, but someone needs to tell the parents to call the bishop pronto if a Sunday School teacher, Scout leader, etc. even INVITES a child to spend the night. And if the bishop is doing the inviting, the stake president should get the call.

I've heard that the Church has a no-exceptions rule about missionaries entering a residence where they will be alone with a woman or girl (resulting in some amusing anecdotes about missionaries standing outside in the snow, at a home where they've been invited for dinner, because the wife is there, but the husband is late getting home). Time to expand on that rule.

[widowithfoursons]

It evolved many years ago that pastors could not be alone with females in the congregation. I'm talking Evangelicals here. ALWAYS a witness there in case of a lawsuit. This is SICK. And SICK that any Christian should need to worry about this stuff. Purge the Church.

[Edward Watson]

You're right. As for missionaries being alone with a young woman, that's allowed as long as it isn't just one of the missionaries being alone with her. The two missionaries have to be together with the woman at all times.

Reminds me of a (now) funny incident when I was a missionary. While going somewhere on public transportation, my Filipino companion was sitting next to a young woman friend who was accompanying us to an appointment, I had to sit further away because there wasn't any space available next to my comp. A few months later after this elder was transferred to another location, the woman confided in me that he was hitting on her throughout the trip. Why she didn't whack the little worm I'll never know. Ah, memories ...

[Grig]

"I think the LDS Church (and others, though few others are as well-organized about communicating with members) need to promulgate a no-exceptions rule against children spending the night alone with unrelated adult males."

They do not allow Cub Scouts to do any overnight camping of any kind, and they teach parents and kids what they should know, but in the end the responsibility of the parents to protect their kids because no matter what the rules are, a determined pervert will find a way to get around it. The Church is not at fault in this at all.

[Utah Girl]

There are rules in place. For example, there must be two Scout leaders at scout camp, and they have to sleep in another place, other than where the boys sleep. I was assistant camp director in my ward, the rules for girls camp was that there was a leader in each tent, or on each floor of the cabin. You are absolutely correct in saying that if unrelated adult males are doing the asking of spending the night, the parents need to be aware and not let their child go, no matter how much they trust the man. One of my sisters does not allow her children to have or go to sleepovers, except for camp. Better safe than sorry.

[tracer]

The policy you suggest already exists and usually followed/enforced....