Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: home-based offices as safety risk to children

[Christy Collins (ccollins]

I think that thinking that kids are safer in a cloistered environment 
might be somewhat misguided.  A good resource about this issue is the 
book, "Protecting the Gift" by Gavin DeBecker.

The overwhelming majority of violence against children is perpetrated 
by someone who knows the child.

-Christy


On Monday, November 15, 2004, at 01:38 PM, Shelly DeMeo wrote:

> Hello--
>
> Our group is grappling with the decision of whether or not to allow 
> home-based businesses.  There are two very distinct points of view on 
> this issue.  One side (actually only one or two households) wants the 
> cohousing community to be a safe, residential community where one 
> doesn't have to worry about strangers walking near our children.  The 
> other viewpoint is one of a thriving village, where people flow in and 
> out of the community all day.  This side argues that it is actually 
> safer this way, because it provides more eyes watching during the day, 
> as opposed to an empty community during work hours.
>
> We have many businesses that want to open including yoga studio, art 
> classes, home-schoolers, landscape architects, violinists, etc.  The 
> hot button item tends to be the therapy offices  Surprise! We have a 
> lot of therapists in this community and a few of them would like the 
> option to provide therapy in their home.  The opposing households feel 
> this is a distinct threat to the children of the community.
>
> I am sure others have struggled with this issue.  Our group would 
> appreciate any advice on how to reach consensus on this issue.  
> Comments on real life cohousing offices, safety, and kids would be 
> helpful.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Shelly DeMeo
> Rocky Hill Cohousing
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