Training on sex abuse starts this week at Boys & Girls Clubs
In response to Hearst Conn. Media series
National leadership at Boys & Girls Clubs of America promised immediate policy changes to protect children and provide transparency after a Hearst Connecticut Media investigation found cases of sexual abuse connected to affiliates across the country.
On Thursday, the organization is set to provide staff across the country with training and drills on sexual abuse prevention. The national group denied a request by Hearst to observe those training sessions in two states.
“Annual readiness day at local Clubs is focused on internal safety training andwork with staff, so it is closed to media and the public,” said Sara Leutzinger, national director of communications for the organization. “Given the difficult, often emotional and personal subject matter covered in a sexual abuse training, it is important that we provide a safe space for staff and volunteers to ask questions and feel comfortable doing so.”
The sixmonth Hearst investigation, published last
month, found 250 people in 30 states who say they were sexually abused as children at the hands of employees, volunteers and other members of affiliates of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The investigation revealed allegations that in some instances, club leadership knew about abuse and did not report it to law enforcement, and that administrators at some clubs did not adhere to national safety guidelines or failed to conduct sufficient background checks.
Last month, the national organization announced a thirdparty review of its abuse prevention policies and procedures. On Wednesday, officials said they have selected Alston & Bird, an international law firm, to conduct the review. The firm will partner with RAINN, a nonprofit dedicated to abuse prevention, per Leutzinger.
“The review will help us ensure we are taking the appropriate action to strengthen safety at Boys & Girls Clubs,” she said.
The findings and any plans for improvement will also be made public, according to the organization. The review process has already begun, according to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the organization will rely on the thirdparties’ guidance on how long it will take to complete.
The national organization also said last month it would be “evaluating what we can do to further inform our members, their families and the local communities Clubs serve after an incident occurs.” Leutzinger did not provide information on the evaluation this week. Boys & Girls Clubs of America does not maintain a public record of allegations of child sex abuse at its 4,600 local affiliates.
Previously, Boys & Girls Clubs of America officials said it would have a “thirdparty expert” complete onsite assessments of every local club annually. This week, Leutzinger said the organization is now “piloting a standardized, inperson safety review by field staff.” Currently, clubs are only required to complete an annual selfassessment.
In August, Boys & Girls Clubs of America officials said it would “take action to require” a tollfree child safety helpline be visibly posted in all rooms of each club. Leutzinger said this week an initial 10,000 posters, magnets and window decals with the number will be sent to clubs. The materials will be “shipped within the coming weeks,” according to officials.
The helpline is run by Praesidium, a private company that offers abuse prevention training to various types of organizations. According to its social media account, the firm helps organizations protect “the children and vulnerable adults in their care from abuse and staff from false allegations.”
Any official change to policy must be voted on by the organization’s national council, which is made up of representatives of each local affiliate, according to its governance requirements. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is encouraging local clubs to implement the new safety enhancements announced last month until they are approved as mandatory requirements by the council.
The council meets once a year in May. However, Boys & Girls Clubs of America officials said they may recommend meeting sooner to review the results of the thirdparty investigation.
The organization reiterated the same message it and dozens of local clubs have made in the past when asked to comment on allegations of abuse.
“Our improvements are a continuous process,” said Leutzinger. “Our No. 1 priority is the protection of the children we serve, and we will not rest until we’ve done everything we can to keep our kids safe.”