Youth Protection Training questions
Michael M. Meenehan (meenehmm@SUN.AITC.REST.TASC.COM)
Fri, 17 Mar 1995 14:50:42 -0500
Our District has just started presenting the new (60 min) Youth
Protection Training (YPT). I also attended YPT TTT at our recent
University of Scouting. I heard/saw some things that I wanted to get
some comments about since we will be discussing them at our next
Council Training Committee meeting.
In TTT the instructor said that when a scout approaches you and
starts reporting/discussing possible abuse that has happended you
should immediately attempt to get his permission to have another
adult present to hear the discussion. This is the first time I have
heard this. It seems to violate the "don't spread the word, only
report to the authorities" guideline. It appears the reason is to
have a "witness" to the report and to not violate the two-deep
leadership rule. Has anyone else heard it taught this way?
The last discussion in YPT is to present the local council reporting
requirements. The information sheet in our packet says that the
leader must report to:
1. State/local authorities (as required by VA law)
2. Council Executive (who has delegated this responsibility
to the District Exec.)
3. The Chartering Organization institutional head
4. The child's parents/guardians
Numbers 3 & 4 surprised me. I can think of several reasons why they
are listed, but also several reasons why the leader should NOT report
to them. I would think that the professionals would be responsible
for notifying them as appropriate.
Youth Protection/Child Abuse can be an emotional topic. I don't mean
to revive a YPT discussion. Specifically, I am looking for input on:
1. what are the "official" Council reporting requirements as
presented in YPT in your Council?
2. have you heard that a second adult should be involved during the
initial discussion with the scout?
YIS,
Mike Meenehan
mmmeenehan@tasc.com
Cub Scout Pack 1113
Patawomeck District
National Capital Area Council
(Washington, D.C. Area)
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