JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- Parents are questioning whether their young boys are safe in one of the most trusted programs in the nation - The Boy Scouts of America. The LA Times recently examined hundreds of files from 1970 to 1991 where the organization documented improper volunteer conduct. And according to the investigation, many of those cases went unreported.
Boy Scouts of America is an organization designed to teach young boys how to help themselves and others. But a Los Angeles Times investigation now alleges those in charge were doing the opposite. The article outlines numerous complaints saying the organization hid past child abuse by employees and volunteers.
"The boy scout program is safe," defended Jack Sears, Scouts Executive with The Boy Scouts.
Sears says there are stringent policies that have been in place for decades to make sure the kids are safe. Before anyone can even become a leader or volunteer they have to submit to a criminal background check. But that's only the beginning.
"We have an extensive list of what we call barriers to abuse in scouting. Fundamental to that is our number one policy no one on one contact between an adult and a child and at all times there are two adults present when children are around."
Sears says reports of abuse are taken very seriously. There are mandatory steps required to be taken if its even suspected.
"Any suspicion of abuse, sexual or anything, must be reported to law enforcement. In doing so reported to our office here and then we take action immediately."
Anyone wanting to become a leader or volunteer also has to take required youth protection training. And you can actually take that training online to see what's required.
Youth Protection Online Training You can also review all
Abuse Protection Policies.
