Follow
As an adult volunteer in Scouting how would you react if you were made aware of suspected abuse?
As the Penn State investigations proceed they reveal more about how the administration of the school handled reports of abuse for which the perpetrator now stands convicted.
Administrators chose not go to the authorities with reports of abuse – they decided to handle the situation internally. Recently revealed email conversations indicate their rationalizations. They thought a more ‘humane’ way to handle the situation was to talk to the suspected abuser and ‘find him help’.
As a result they lost their jobs, they are defendants in criminal prosecutions, and they brought shame on their school but most tragically their actions allegedly enabled the abuse of more children.
Over the past few years it has come to light that other hallowed institutions also systematically covered up reports of abuse for decades. Perhaps we have reached a time in history where no institution will ever again be able to practice this sort of injustice and criminal disregard for the safety of children. Perhaps we will finally understand that covering up abuse is more shameful and damaging to an institution than dealing with it openly. Perhaps we will finally put the safety of children above saving face or enduring embarrassment.
As an adult volunteer in Scouting how would you react if you were made aware of suspected abuse?
Suspected incidents of abuse must be reported directly to the local authorities – not simply because of legal obligations but because we have a moral duty to protect children. The standard for reporting is stated clearly in the Boy Scouts of America youth protection training (my underlining):
Mandatory Report of Child Abuse
All persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. You may not abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.Steps to Reporting Child Abuse
- Ensure the child is in a safe environment.
- In cases of child abuse or medical emergencies, call 911 immediately. In addition, if the suspected abuse is in the Scout’s home or family, you are required to contact the local child abuse hotline.
- Notify the Scout executive or his/her designee.
The language is unmistakable, specific and direct; shall, must, required. We do not ‘handle things internally’. We do not judge whether reporting is ‘humane’ to the suspected perpetrator. We do all with in our power, based on good faith, to protect children.
We are not trained investigators, legal experts or social workers. We have a clear, simple, mandate – All persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused.
I have seen our youth protection policies at work. I have seen Scouts courageously come forward and report abuse. I have seen dedicated volunteers and professionals respond to these reports by immediately informing the authorities. I have seen the perpetrators subsequently brought to justice.
No one wanted to be involved in dealing with these distasteful, depressing, horrific incidents. They were repulsed and shaken by them, they wanted them not to be true. Perhaps they even experienced the natural reaction of wanting to deny the possibility of abuse in their organization – of covering it up in hopes it would go away – of wanting to protect their organization from the shame associated with such things. But thankfully they knew that their responsibility was to protect children. They overcame their own fears and misgivings and bravely, courageously, even heroically, shouldered the moral obligation to protect children and they did what they had to do.
As an adult volunteer you are obligated to protect children. What do you do to protect Scouts if there’s an electrical storm on your hike? What do you do to keep Scouts safe while swimming or boating? What do you do if you come upon a poisonous snake or a bear while camping? What do you do if you are made aware of an incident of abuse?
Most of us will spend our years in Scouting without major incident because we are trained, we are vigilant and we are prepared. We don’t live in fear, we don’t shrink from duty, we protect children.
“systematically covered up reports of abuse for decades. Perhaps we have reached a time in history where no institution will ever again be able to practice this sort of injustice and criminal disregard for the safety of children.”
I think that “systematically covered up reports of abuse for decades” and then tying it to current reporting requirements does not follow. Bad errors have been made, but in the past, the law enforcement community was often not prepared to handle these types of cases. They are now almost universally fully trained and capable.
The world has changed. It’s extremely difficult to dip into the past and judge those who were in entirely different circumstances. Some of them dropped the ball and managed their organizations and careers ahead of their responsibilities to the youth in their care. Others handled these situations responsibly and carefully and the individuals involved received the care they needed or the punishment they deserved. It’s just very difficult to compare 30, 40, or 50 years ago to today or make a statement about “abuse for decades” in a general sense.
The current Scouting policies are well thought out and appropriate. All Scout leaders, upon registration, agree to follow these policies. That’s a good thing because most of us are entirely out of our league when these things occur.
I’ll stand by ‘systematic cover-up’.
I am contrasting the two (reporting and covering-up) as progress. Granted that decades ago the situation may have been different, practices were different, the culture was different but the end result was empowering abusers by being reluctant to bring them to light.
Unfortunately I am not one in the “what would you do” group. I’m in the “what did you do” group.
Long story short, a story of alleged abuse surfaced and was brought to my attention by a scout.
I immediately contacted the Committee Chair.
We did discreetly talk to a couple of scouts so that we could get a clearer story.
The story fit the description “good-faith suspicion”. We immediately went to the local authorities and reported what we knew and what we had been told. We notified the District Scout Executive after we made our report.
I understand the natural hesitance to go forward. Situations like this can ruin lives and we instinctively want to be sure. In the end, you have to realize that there is no “feel good ending” to these sorts of things. No matter if allegations are true or not, people will get hurt, things will be uncomfortable. You simply have to do the right thing and that is to report.
Good for you! Overcoming your discomfort and reluctance was a very courageous thing to do.
Thanks. My post was misunderstood. I stated not only that this is a non-registered adult but that I had rejected opportunities for the adult to engage us (the Troop). This adult is not a volunteer, though I could see angling in that direction. This is an adult who has contact with a Scout and I have a moral obligation to my Scouts to act if I have a concern. Informing people led to getting us on the same page and I outlined the measures we took. The point of my post was to underline with an example the need to be vigilant and act. In ambiguous circumstances prior to something occurring. I thought that point wasa worth highlighting from your commentary.
I misunderstood but I get the point and agree.
Superb post. All excellent points, but the final one hit home: “we are trained, we are vigilant and we are prepared.” This can include informing the Scout Executive about concerns; they have good advice and have seen more situations than I have. Recently, I became concerned about the intentions of a non-registered adult with regards to one of my Scouts. I do not think something has happened, but I am concerned and concerned about the adult’s intentions and motivations. The Scout is on the verge of turning 18, which legally is the age of consent, even if he were not psychologically fully capable of consent. I relayed the scenario of concern and circumstances to my Scout Exec, Unit Commissioner, Charter Representative and briefed my ASMs, and got some very good advice and everyone on the same page. We informed ourselves and raised awareness among those who can keep a watchful eye. All Troops should do Youth Protection training with their youth once a year, including the video “A Time to Tell”, which we immediately scheduled. This armed all of my Scouts with some knowledge and support, without singling out the Scout whom I wish to support and protect. I also informed parents about the program and invited them to attend. Finally, I’ve rejected opportunities for this adult to engage us and have been rather cold, if not suspicious. Do I risk being rude? Yes. But if I don’t trust my gut instincts, then I’m not being vigilant.
People generally are very conflicted about what kind of scenario has to be present before they report abuse. They will normally reach out to those around them to gauge what they should do next. I used the Penn State example as an illustration of how things can go wrong with this approach.
If you get a report of, see evidence of or have ‘good-faith suspicion or belief’ that abuse has happened the way forward is clear. It is less clear when there’s a concern or a gut reaction to the way adults are acting.
I think that you have been vigilant but if the actions of this volunteer are that worrying I would show them the door.
It’s important to understand that volunteers are not employees bound by a contract or labor laws; they are engaged with us ‘at will’ and may be terminated at any time, for any reason or for no reason. A letter from the chartered organization stating that the services of the volunteer are no longer required is sufficient to end the relationship. No cause has to be stated – nor would I suggest that you should state a cause because that is an arguable point. Naturally I am not a legal authority – this is what I understand and what my limited research bears out. Check with your Scout Executive to see if I have my facts straight.