Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
I was a boy scout leader when the training and standards were first coming into use. Although the adults on the team are not trained we do follow many of the Boy Scout guidelines. Other school rules also dovetail into the Boy Scout training. A simple list is this...
1. No 'one on one', adult with student ever. Two adults required for any activity, more preferred. Ideal two adults and two students minimum.
2. Adults may not give rides to students under any circumstances, even with parent permission.
3. Any suspected warning flags of abuse must be reported to lead teacher for evaluation and further investigation.
4. All adult leaders must go through annual background checks and submit to fingerprinting at start of mentoring.
5. Each adult reads and signs a list of school imposed restrictions for mentors annually.
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These are great, and most likely most teams follow something similar to these guidelines, but I want to point out something about your #3. (bolding in the quote is mine):
Investigation by someone who is not officially allowed to investigate can be extremely detrimental if there is actual abuse happening. The only two questions allowed to be asked are, "Where did this happen?" and "When did this happen?" If any other questions are asked, they can be considered "Leading questions" which can result in most/all evidence in a case being thrown out, if anything should come to a trial situation.
NOW, this is obviously an extreme case, where you are dealing with actual abuse, but it's important to know what to do if you are ever put in this position.