“When any physician, medical examiner, coroner, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, resident, intern, nurse, hospital or clinic personnel that are engaged in the examination, care, treatment or research of persons, and any other health practitioner, psychologist, mental health professional, social worker, day care center worker or other child-care worker, juvenile officer, probation or parole officer, jail or detention center personnel, teacher, principal or other school official, minister as provided by section 352.400, RSMo, peace officer or law enforcement official, or other person with the responsibility for the care of children has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that person shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the division in accordance with the provisions of sections 210.109 to 210.183."
Two items apply to most readers of this blog and are highlighted in the text above. The language relative to teachers, principals and school officials is pretty cut and dry. However, we should pay close attention to the part which reads "other person with the responsibility for the care of children." This means you, Coach! You have the responsibility of advocating for an abused child. You have the responsibility to tell. Now, another issue with the Sandusky case had to do with who a coach or other mandated reporter should tell. Should you just tell another adult? Should you tell your boss? Maybe you should cut out the middle man and go straight to the police yourself. Again, let's see what Missouri law says:
"When a person is required to report in an official capacity as a staff member of a school facility, the person in charge shall be notified. That person in charge becomes responsible for immediately making or causing a report to be made. This is not meant to relieve anyone of their responsibility from making a report. A report may also be made to any law enforcement agency or juvenile office, although this does not take the place of making a report to CD (Children's Division)." Missouri law is clear. If you are a teacher or staff member at a school, you should first make the report to your boss. This person may be your athletic director, principal or other administrator as outlined by your district. Please do not play the Lone Ranger and have S.W.A.T. show up at your school without telling anyone. If you're a volunteer coach, you should make the report yourself. It would still be a good idea to notify league officials as well.
Now that we know what the law says, what can we do on a more practical level? First, every coach, administrator and league official should submit to a background check. It's irresponsible and inexcusable not to have them done. There are several reputable companies that perform national background checks for around $10. If nothing else, you can require coaches to go to the local police precinct and have them run a background check. It takes all of five minutes and if your coach doesn't come back with the report, then you have your answer. Your league should also have guidelines in place for potentially questionable situations. Transporting kids to and from practices and games needs to be addressed. Is touching of any kind allowed? I don't mean the inappropriate variety. I'm talking about hugs, putting your arm around a kid or even a hi-five.
When many of us played football as kids, it would be nothing for the coach to slap us on the backside after a great play. Those forms of touching - formerly innocent and thought to be part of the game - are looked upon much differently now. Your league has to decide how best to protect its kids. Lastly, the best defense for kids is for us as parents to know who their coaches are. Get to know these men and women. Far too many parents use sports as a pseudo-babysitting service. They drop the kids off and pick them up from practices and games. Some never even bother to get out of the car nor do they even know the coach's name. Abused kids are often ones who appear alone or isolated. Your presence and positive involvement can deter a would-be abuser.
To recap, make sure your league or organization runs background checks. Have policies in place that cover situations that may place children at-risk. Get to know the people who coach your kids. And by all means, if you know or suspect a child is being abused, you need to alert the authorities. Save the following number in your phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Yes, save the number in your phone. We all have the numbers to our favorite pizza place saved. In saving this number, you may save a child. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
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