Thousands of Legionnaires and members of the American Legion Family throughout the nation donate countless volunteer hours each year helping Baseball, Oratorical, Boys State/Nation, Junior Shooting Sports, Youth Cadet Law Enforcement and Scouting programs. Our youth programs teach young people a variety of practical skills, as well as developing leadership, teamwork, discipline and self-confidence.
Our programs encourage a strong sense of citizenship, patriotism and good living. Every youth program of The American Legion relies heavily upon dedicated volunteers willing to contribute time and skills for conducting essential functions of the programs. What motivates these selfless volunteers is an innate desire to give back to their communities and to help nurture those young Americans whose impressions of this country are still developing.
Although the occurrence of events such as those referenced below are overall relatively infrequent, youth programs have proven they can be a high-risk environment for misconduct by adults in positions of authority and leadership who have sometimes misused their positions by exerting various forms of abuse. This may include physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse or sexual abuse. The aftermath of numerous events throughout the nation involving the sexual molestation of youth by a trusted authority figure has served to prominently illustrate the need and importance for protecting the welfare of vulnerable populations, such as minor children, as well as the need for protection from liability for those organizations and volunteers that serve them.
In February 2018, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-126) was signed into law. The bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, immediately to law enforcement and adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes by an amateur sports organization that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic competition.
While The American Legion has the utmost trust and confidence in its volunteers, the need for implementing such measures is a stark manifestation unfortunately reflective of today’s social reality. Any organization entrusted with the safety and welfare of youth must mitigate its overall risk and liability, and that of its participants and volunteers, by taking measures aimed at sustaining program integrity and safety.
Prevention is key to being proactive in mitigating abuse in youth programs. A comprehensive child protection program will incorporate: (1) screening; (2) abuse awareness training; (3) established policies and safeguards; and (4) awareness and oversight.