It’s everyone’s job to keep youth safe. And it’s Scouting America’s job to make it as easy as possible for its members to report anything that could put youth at risk.
That’s why Scouting America now gives youth and adults the ability to report concerns anonymously, not just via phone and email, but also via one of the most popular ways to communicate today: text messaging.
Thanks to a new partnership with software development company RealResponse, anyone — Scouts, parents, registered leaders, friends, etc. — can report concerns via text to phone number 844-SCOUTS1, using a protected and anonymous platform.
The goal is to provide immediate assistance that ensures the alleged victim, as well as unit and council leadership, are fully supported, and appropriate actions are taken.
The Scouts First 24-hour helpline remains active, as it has for many years now. Anyone can report a concern by calling 1-844-SCOUTS1 or by emailing ScoutsFirst@Scouting.org.
“The more avenues to report abuse or risk to youth, the safer Scouting will be,” says Scouting America Chief Safeguarding Officer Glen Pounder. “A lot of people — especially youth — are more used to texting than calling these days. With technology readily available to youth and adults, this seemed like a natural addition to our reporting avenues.”
These reporting tools are not meant to replace the reporting of incidents to local authorities or Scout councils, nor are they meant to preclude a youth from confiding in a parent or trusted adult. Instead, they are designed to give Scouting America members another way to disclose a problem or to reach out for help or advice.
What is RealResponse?
RealResponse is a North Carolina-based software company dedicated to helping clients like Scouting America create and sustain healthy cultures, successful programs and long-lasting positive experiences.
Their goal is to create a platform that allows participants in an organization to get in touch with the right people within that organization and report concerns or get information anonymously and safely.
Their long list of clients includes USA Track and Field, USA Swimming, The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Chiefs, and many colleges and collegiate athletic programs.
“It’s a platform that utilizes preferred, popular forms of communicating, like texting,” says Emily Lange, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of RealResponse. “We provide a protected and private space. Everything remains anonymous. It’s two-way for people to discuss sensitive topics and issues.
“The goal is to advance and improve the experience and giving people a channel and empowering people to elevate their voices.”
How does Scouting America’s anonymous reporting tool work?
Scout leaders, registered members, parents, Scouting professionals, or anyone else who believes a youth in Scouting might be at risk can call, text or email their concerns. You can report concerns not just of abuse, but of any unsafe activity at all.
While accurate information is critical to an appropriate response, a lack of specific information is not a reason to delay a report.
“As always, more information is better when reporting an incident, but we don’t want someone to wait to report just because they don’t have all the details,” Pounder says. “We can start the conversation and gather the details as we go.”
You will not be required to provide proof that a youth is in danger. All you are asked to do is report your concerns in good faith. You can also call, text or email if you have received a report of abuse and would like guidance on what to do next.
Utilizing the RealResponse platform, Scouts and their families can share their concerns and questions in real time, with the knowledge that these communications are going to the right place in the fastest way possible, creating meaningful dialogue about tough issues.
What happens after someone submits a report?
It depends on what is being reported.
If it is a report of abuse or behavior that places a youth at risk, then the Scouts First team will respond. If the report is regarding a health-and-safety issue or another concern, the report will be forwarded to the appropriate person, who will respond as quickly as possible.
Why does Scouting America offer this reporting tool?
By offering the ability to quickly and easily submit a report via text message, Scouting America is creating yet another Barrier to Abuse.
Scouting America’s Barriers to Abuse are policies put into place to protect its youth members. It includes background checks for all volunteers, rules regarding two-deep leadership and no one-on-one contact, Youth Protection Training, and all the other aspects of the organization’s youth protection program.
The ability to submit a concern via text is yet another barrier.
“If anyone — particularly an adult — is thinking of abusing their position of trust in Scouting, they now know that their potential victim has another avenue to get help,” says Pounder.
Top photo by Getty Images. Bottom photo from Scouting America archives
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