Re: An unusual situation

When I teach YPG courses, I make it a well known point that nobody in
the BSA does "investigations" of any sort. Most states have laws about
reporting, and most have laws specifically to protect those who make
such reports (either unique laws or covered by Good Samaritan Laws) from
prosecution provided they have made said report "in good faith".
As far as responsiblities within the BSA program, reports should be made
to ONLY the Council Executive, or his designee. Your DE, by virtue of
their job, does NOT constitute such a designation. The CE is well aware
of local reporting laws, the proper agencies to contact, and the
procedures of doing this. If not, then he has appointed someone on his
staff who is responsible for this. Contact them directly about any
possible YPG violations or suspected abuse.

Allegations of YPG violations are not something to be sent "up the chain
of command" because this can expose the allegation to a far wider
audience than should ever have knowledge of it. While we use the
Guidelines to protect our children, we still should respect the alleged
perpetrator of such violations until they have been proven by an
appropriate government agency. This kind of situation can leave far to
great a stigma on the accused for anyone other than those absolutely
necessary to know about it.

I suggest you have the WDL make a direct report to the Council Executive
as soon as possible before anything else happens. I know in NJ you can
be prosecuted for failing to make a report to a proper agency if you
suspect abuse. By reporting this to the Troop Committee instead of the
CE, you may both have left yourselves open to legal action, depending on
state laws.

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message
• Previous message