Re: Adult Scouters and Spousal Abuse
Byron Hynes (bph@INTERNORTH.COM)
Tue, 12 Sep 1995 14:35:06 MDT
(Again, I am not commenting on the alleged failure to follow rules and
policies, in the camp setting, [which seems to be a violation of YPP], or
his ability and skills at managing people as a camp director or SM -- only
the charges laid in the domestic violence issue.)
>We are not the Criminal Justice System. We are Scout Leaders and are
>charged with the Protection of the Youth we lead.
Most Scout Leaders, and even some professional staff, have NO investigation
skills, NO investigation experience, NO critical thinking training, NO legal
training, and limited ability to sift through mounds of "facts", evidence
and innuendo. The problem is further compounded by the high emotions running
in such situations (especially in close knit groups and/or small towns).
>If we are all wrong and everything turns out to have been a big mistake
>or perhaps a mirage we will apologize and ask forgiveness from the man
>and perhaps from the lord but, no one need apologize for protecting the
>kids from harm.
How, exactly, do you "ask for forgiveness" without appologizing?
We are not talking about a situation where someones has physically hurt a
scout, we are talking about the "harm" caused because the scouts have
_heard_ that someone said he hit his wife. I hope you are never involved in
a bad divorce, child custody battle, or foster parent/teaching/coaching
situation turned sour... where you might find out that all manners of this
are said and all manner of accusations made against someone.
I am not at all so quick to trash someone else's life based on rumor or
statements of an estranged partner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Byron Hynes bph@internorth.com
71 Gold City Court Fax: 403-920-4446
Yellowknife, NWT, Canada Days: 403-873-5658
X1A 3P6 Home: 403-873-4939
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
