The situation
A charity in Scotland which provides activities and respite care for children with special needs was rocked by the news that one of its employees had been arrested under suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.
This event understandably shocked the charity’s management team and trustees. As well as the implications for the children in their care, they were rightly worried about the potential devastation to their reputation. It could lead parents to boycott the organisation and even trigger violent reprisals if not handled well. Ultimately, there was a danger the charity could be forced to close its doors after years of tireless work by staff and volunteers.
The organisation’s CEO and trustees called us in to help.
What we did
Firstly, we made sure to get a complete picture of exactly what had occurred and what was likely to happen next in the police investigation and potential court proceedings. From this, we identified some positives in the way the organisation had responded well to the incident and was co-operating with the police, alongside the problematic elements of the case.
We then worked with the charity to develop a clear statement of the organisation’s position, including what had happened and how the charity had responded, reinforcing its values and the good work it has done over the years without downplaying the gravity of the issue.
We also created a detailed Q&A addressing the challenges the charity is likely to face when news of the situation breaks. And we rehearsed robust, empathetic responses with the organisation’s senior team.
We assessed the best next steps and, with any danger to the children in the charity’s care having been removed, decided to sit tight and montior the situation carefully, responding as and when appropriate, rather than proactively communicating about the issue. After all, the allegations could prove to be groundless.
The outcome
No-one can turn back the clock and make the alleged incident go away, but the charity’s management team and trustees have gone from a feeling of shock and panic to a greater sense of confidence in its ability to deal with any fall-out in a calm and professional manner.
We’re now monitoring the situation carefully and will act as needed based on how the case evolves.
See more on our crisis communications services.
