Over the past few days, a series of press conferences and news stories have drawn attention to Scouting’s volunteer screening database and to abuse litigation efforts. As leaders of our council, we want to keep our local Scouting family informed and share as much information as possible. Earlier this week, the Boy Scouts of America’s Chief Scout Executive, Michael Surbaugh, held a press conference to correct inaccuracies and mischaracterizations arising from these media events. These remarks are attached HERE so that you can review and educate yourself on this important matter.
In addition, the following facts may help clarify the BSA’s history and practices:
- ALL instances of suspected abuse are reported to law enforcement. We do not keep any reports of suspected abuse secret or hidden from the proper authorities.
- Before smart phones, email, the internet, criminal databases, or other modern methods were available to identify or track predators, the BSA took a vital step to help protect children from bad people by creating what is known as the Ineligible Volunteer Files, or the IV Files. Its purpose was to ensure that anyone seen as unfit to be a leader – even those not charged or convicted of any crime, would be removed and banned forever from our program.
- The creation of those files was just the first step in the BSA’s development of a comprehensive set of strategies designed to provide the best possible youth protection system. Today, record-keeping or databases such as ours are recommended by experts, including the CDC, as an important step in protecting children.
- While it has often been misunderstood and criticized, the IV Files, now called our Volunteer Screening Database, have successfully prevented potential predators from rejoining our organization and gaining access to youth. This is precisely why we have been maintaining these records since the 1920s.
- We have a low threshold for removing someone from our Scouting programs. Individuals are added to our Volunteer Screening Database based on suspected or known violations of our policies. Our priority is to protect kids, first and foremost.
We as an organization are outraged that there have been times when individuals may have taken advantage of our programs to abuse children. All members of the Scouting family must be advocates for prevention of child abuse and support for victims. This is a zero tolerance issue and no one should ever hesitate to come forward with a concern. It is our responsibility to hear each matter without judgement or doubt and immediately report an incident.
The BSA is committed to providing ongoing support to victims and their families including counseling. We want to help victims heal on their own terms with a professional counselor of their choice. Through the ScoutsFirst Helpline, the Boy Scouts of America offers assistance with counseling to any youth member, former youth member, or the family of any youth member who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting. Scouts can reach the ScoutsFirst Helpline by calling (844)-Scouts1 or (844) 726-8871, or email scouts1st@scouting.org for assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, comments or concerns. We appreciate your support of Scouting and are committed to keeping you informed about important topics that impact our program.
Christopher L. Miller Deanna Biros Jeff Moe
Council President Council Commissioner Scout Executive/CEO