Background Checks: The Importance of Safety in Today's Society
In today's society, safety has become a crucial issue that affects everyone. Whether you're looking for a new job, renting a property, or screening a potential tenant, performing a background check has become an essential part of the process. Background checks are done to ensure the safety of individuals and organizations, prevent fraud, and protect public safety.
What are background checks?
A background check refers to a process of searching and verifying the information provided by an individual. It can include a person's criminal records, credit history, employment history, educational background, and even social media presence. The purpose of this investigation is to ensure that the person is who they claim to be and that they are suitable for a particular position or activity.
The importance of background checks
Background checks are essential today because they provide a level of safety and security for individuals, businesses, and organizations. They help eliminate the risk of hiring an unfit person for a job, renting a property to a potential criminal, or doing business with someone known for fraudulent activities.
Preventing Fraud
Fraud can be a multi-billion-dollar problem for businesses and individuals. Background checks help reduce the risk of fraud by providing information about a person's financial background, legal history, and reputation. When a company hires an employee with a history of financial fraud, they are at risk of being a victim of the same fraud.
Protecting Public Safety
Background checks are crucial in protecting public safety. They provide information on an individual's criminal record, which is essential when hiring for positions of trust such as law enforcement, childcare, and education. It also helps protect against sexual predators.
A prominent example of the importance of background checks in protecting public safety is the implementation of the Brady Bill in 1993. The Brady Bill requires a background check to be done before a gun purchase is made. This has helped prevent individuals with a criminal record or history of violence from purchasing guns.
Real-life Examples
Several instances in recent times have highlighted the importance of background checks. Here are a few examples:
Pennsylvania Diocese Sexual Abuse Scandal
The Pennsylvania diocese sexual abuse scandal involved the Catholic Church and revealed decades of sexual abuse by clergymen. Many of these crimes were covered up, and the perpetrators were not punished.
Some of the victims filed claims against the church, and during the legal proceedings, it was found that background checks of the church employees and volunteers had not been thoroughly done. If proper background checks had been done, it's possible the abuse may never have occurred.
Sexual Assault on College Campuses
Sexual assault has become a topic of concern on college campuses. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women experience sexual assault during their college years.
Most universities perform background checks on their prospective students and employees. Still, many of them do not go beyond checking the criminal record or ethics complaints. It's essential to conduct a full background check, including social media, in order to identify any red flags.
How to Perform Background Checks
There are several ways to perform a background check. Some of them include:
Employment Background Check: Companies can choose to perform a background check on their prospective employees. The check can include criminal records, education verification, and employment history.
Tenant Background Check: Landlords can perform a background check on their potential tenants, which can include credit, criminal, and eviction records.
Personal Background Check: Individuals can also perform background checks on themselves to ensure that the information they have provided to potential employers or landlords is correct.
Conclusion
In today's society, background checks are essential in ensuring safety and preventing fraud. They provide a level of security and help identify any red flags that may put individuals or organizations at risk. With the advancement in technology, conducting background checks has become more accessible and quicker. It's important for individuals, businesses, and organizations to ensure that they perform thorough background checks to ensure that they are hiring the right people or working with the right individuals.
