Procedure Highlights for Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect
BSA’s Youth Protection Policies
Mandatory Reporting 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, manu-facture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. No person may abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.
Notify your Scout Executive of this report, or of any violation of BSA’s Youth Protection policies, so he or she may take appropriate action for the safety of our Scouts, make appropriate notifications and follow-up with investigating agencies. Also see Scouting's Barriers to Abuse
1. Assure that the child is now in a safe environment. Call 911 for police intervention in an emergency.
2. You must make an immediate oral report to the local child protection service or law enforcement agency. Most law enforcement agencies now respond to 911. The local child protection service is listed in the telephone book (800-800-5556). The call can be made anonymously. Be prepared with as many details as possible. Be sure to ask about the kind of response to expect and what further action you should take if you think there is an emergency.
3. You must also make an immediate oral report to the Scout Executive or his designee during his absence (see items #4 and #5 below). He will confirm that you have already made an oral report to the local child protection service or law enforcement agency. The Scout Executive then also becomes responsible for making a report.
4. If you are unable to reach the Scout Executive, you must then contact either the Director of Support Services (DSS) or the Director of Field Service (DFS) (see contact names and numbers below).
5. If you are unable to reach any of the above, contact one of the council Field Directors (FD) (see contact
names and numbers below).
6. You must also prepare a written report with as many details as possible and submit this report to the Scout Executive as soon as possible. The information in this report will be made available to the agency responding to your oral report of child abuse or neglect. Do not conduct an investigation; just write down what you know about the situation. The Scout Executive (or his designee) will assist you with the preparation of this report, if needed. This information will also be used by the Scout Executive to make a proper report to the national registration services of the Boy Scouts of America.
7. Under no circumstances are you to conduct an investigation or ask others to look into it. Confidentiality is a must as well as immediate reporting. When in doubt, report.
A child is anyone under age 18. The perpetrator (abuser) may be a child or an adult of any age.
8. A person, other than a person accused of child abuse or neglect, which makes a report of a child who may be a victim of child abuse or neglect is immune from any civil actions. However, immunity does not attach for any person who has acted maliciously or in bad faith. A person making a report that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect or assisting in any requirement of this chapter (of the law) is presumed to have acted in good faith.
9. Following is a list of telephone numbers you will need:
| Name |
|
Office Number |
Cell Phone Number |
Home Number |
Patrick Sterrett,
Scout Executive |
|
(317) 813-7057 |
(317) 946-7003 |
|
Kevin McPherson,
Director of Support Services |
|
(317) 813- 7099 |
(317) 370-7405 |
(317) 370-7405 |
Robert Hemmelgarn,
Director of Field Services |
|
(317) 813-7058 |
(317) 946-7004 |
(317) 647-8020 |
Nat Baker,
Field Director |
|
(317) 813-7127 |
(317) 589-0404 |
(317) 796-0283 |
Tim Bochard,
Field Director |
|
(317) 813-7097 |
(317) 987-6692 |
(317) 987-6692 |
Darin Steindl,
Field Director |
|
(317) 813-7065 |
(317) 292-0730 |
(317) 292-0730 |
10. Do not make a statement of any kind to the media about the investigation. Should you be called by a reporter, tell him or her that you are unauthorized to speak on this issue and refer him/her to the following council staff members who will follow the council crisis communications plan:
Patrick Sterrett, Scout Executive
Office: (317) 813-7057
Cell: (317) 946-7003
Home: (317) 876-7847
Debbie Davis, Communications Consultant
Office: (317) 595-0820
Cell: (317) 508-2179
Home: (317) 598-1938
Kevin McPherson, Director of Support Services
Office: (317) 813-7099
Cell/Home: (317) 370-7405
Patrick Sterrett serves as the lead spokesperson to the media in all issues other than routine inquires. Debbie Davis and Kevin McPherson are both authorized to speak on issues, but should be contacted only if Patrick is unavailable. Staff in all Scout offices understand that they should not speak on behalf of the council, but rather, refer media inquires to Patrick, or in his absence, Debbie or Kevin. Routine media inquiries should be forwarded to Emily Elliott at (317) 813-7066 or cell (812) 350-7430.