Boy Scouts of America 1 Director of Youth Protection Mike Johnson

This is who we are up against! 2 Anna Salter video

In 102 Year History 1 Billion Youth Served 3

BSA Youth Memberships 1960 – 3,783, – 4,682, – 3,179, – 4,293, – 3,539, – 2,836, – 57,976 Eagles 4

Sexual Abuse/Exploitation 1 of 3-4 girls by age 18 1 of 6-7 boys by age 18 1/3 of youth abused by other youth 19% of youth solicited on-line in last year (Mitchell 2001) “Children experiencing/witnessing domestic violence are 15 times more likely to experience abuse.” - COPS* * U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services 5

Do the math… 6

“Most sexual abuse occurs within established family & social networks… Motivated offenders, wherever they happen to live, can go where they wish in search of victims.” ~ Finkelhor,

Youth experience abuse/exploitation 90-95% of youth are sexually abused or exploited by someone they & their parents know At home (Finkelhor) In the neighborhood (church, playground) On line (NetSmartz / NCMEC) At school (Shakeshaft) At youth-serving organizations 8

Youth-Serving Organizations Schools (Pre-K to College) Day Care Mentoring – Big Brothers/Sisters, 100 Black Men, La Raza Youth ministries, church, mission trips Camping – ACA, Kanakuk Leadership development – BSA, American Heritage Girls, Girl Scouts of America STEM programs (Science/Technology/ Engineering/ Math) Sports – US Swimming, Little League Recreational – YMCA, municipal facilities 9

We are the community and we care 10

“Prevention is as simple as…” Teaching kids to “just say no.” Criminal background checks (BSA 2003)* Screening & asking the right questions Reference checks (BSA 1911)* Living in the right neighborhood Attending the right church or synagogue 11 *

“Real Experts” say otherwise BSA National Youth Protection Symposium Atlanta, Georgia David FinkelhorVictor Vieth Anna SalterCharol Shakeshaft Barbara BonnerJanet Warren Keith KaufmanRobert Farley Lisa JonesKristen Anderson Suzanne TiapulaSharon Cooper Amy RussellMichael Haney Stephanie Smith 12

In 2007 U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention National Center for Injury Prevention & Control 13

Components of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (A Beginning) 1.Screening / Selection 2.Guidelines (Policies) for Interaction between Individuals 3.Monitoring Behavior 4.Ensuring Safe Environments 5.Response 6.Training 14

Every organization does not have to take on all strategies presented in this document. Not all strategies presented in this document will apply to all organizations. ~ U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services/CDC 2007, p.2 15

Participants American Camp Association American Youth Soccer Organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Boys & Girls Clubs of America Boy Scouts of America Crimes against Children Research Center, Univ. of New Hampshire Darkness to Light National School Boards Association National Sexual Violence Resource Center Nonprofit Risk Management Center Portland State University Sensibilities, Inc. Special Olympics, Inc. Stop it NOW! Union for Reform Judaism Camps Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations United Methodist Church 16

BSA’s 3 Phases of Youth Protection Prevention The hardening of our organization to keep out abusers and enforce youth protection policies. Recognition Inward-facing education and training to ensure constant vigilance. Response Equipping employees and volunteers to support anyone who is aware of or suspects abuse to come forward and promptly report it to organization leadership and law enforcement and authorities. 17

BSA’s Commitment Educate Scouting professionals, volunteers, parents, and youth members to aid in the detection and prevention of all forms of child abuse. Strengthen chartered organizations’ leader selection procedures to help defend against suspected or alleged abusers entering the BSA leadership ranks. Strengthen and enforce policies that create barriers to child abuse within the Scouting program. Encourage the immediate reporting of abuse, improper behavior, or violations of BSA policy. Identify and swiftly remove suspected or alleged offenders. Provide support and resources to Scouts, families, units, and councils as needed. 18

Awareness, Guidelines, Policies, and Training Geared Toward Youth Parents Volunteers Professionals Everyone 19

Current & Emerging Threats to Youth Online sexual exploitation (exposure, solicitation, etc.) Youth on youth Grooming of: –Youth –Parents –Organizations –Society –E-grooming Secular vs. Non-secular Response to Abuse Bystander Dynamic Banned List/Ineligible Volunteer Files & Information Sharing State Reporting Laws Compliancy Empowerment 20

Mandatory Reporting & BSA BSA has 285 councils in all 50 states. Inconsistency in mandatory reporting laws (Tiapula, Vieth, Daro, Vandevort) Inconsistency in law enforcement/ department of child & family services accepting reports Decisions made in 1950, 1960, 1970 viewed via the lens of

Reporting of Laws / Abuse State by State / CAPTA* Mandated Reporters Privileged Communication (?) Different Definitions Reasonable cause, cause to believe, good faith suspicion 105 bills were introduced in 30 states in 2012 – National Conference of State Legislatures ( *Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of

US Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (March 2010) Child abuse & neglect in the home 3. Clarifying mandatory child abuse reporting laws subjectivity and ambiguity in mandatory child abuse reporting laws contribute to the failure to report suspected abuse. 27 Not only do these laws need to be clear, but also they should be streamlined to ensure response efficiency… Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Problem-Specific Guides Series No

BSA Solution National Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Policy* LIT Review and Collaboration with NDAA`s NCPCA BSA policy requires allegations of child abuse be reported to local law enforcement and child protection organizations. When such an allegation is brought to your attention as an employee, you should: Stop the abuse or policy violation. Ensure the safety of the child. Get detailed information from the person who is reporting the abuse. Inform that person of his or her duty to report to local law enforcement or child protective services. Notify the Scout executive or his/her designee immediately. Guide to Safe Scouting 24 * *

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. 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. 25

BSA’s Policies Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse A minimum of two-deep leadership is required on all outings. (1981) One-on-one contact is prohibited between adults and Scouts. (1991) Separate accommodations are required for adults and Scouts. Privacy of youth is respected. Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, or digital devices is prohibited. No secret organizations are allowed. No hazing is allowed. No bullying is allowed. Youth leadership is monitored by adult leaders. Discipline must be constructive. Appropriate attire is required for all activities. Members are responsible to act according to Scout Oath & Scout Law. Units are responsible for enforcing Youth Protection policies. Guidelines for use of social media (2010) Mandatory reporting of child abuse (2010) 26

Policy Violation Scouting’s Barriers to Prevent Abuse Fact Gathering by Scout Executive Consult with Youth Protection Director 27

BSA Prevention Clear Policies Parental Involvement Leader Selection / Screening CBC – Lexis Nexis Ineligible Volunteer Check Mandatory Youth Protection Training Parent Handbook Discussion w/ Youth BSA Resources 28

BSA Youth Protection Real Multidisciplinary Experts Effective Collaborations Practical Review of Research Incident Analysis Mobilize the Masses One Scout at a Time Lead Where Leadership is Needed 29

BSA’s Response Mandatory Reporting Policy Development Scout Help Professional / Volunteer / Youth Training (Mandatory) Scout First / Youth Protection Begins With YOU (mantra) BSA Youth Protection Champions BSA Youth Protection Committees / Task Forces 30

You are all invited BSA NYPS 2013 Irving, Texas October

32 Michael Johnson (Detective Retired) BSA Youth Protection Director Q UESTIONS

Youth Protection Begins With You ™ Position Statement Youth protection can only be achieved through the shared involvement of everyone in Scouting. 33

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