Tag Archives: Scandal

Background Screening Practical Application in the News

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school-signIt’s a wise idea to look at the practical implications and applications of background screening from time to time; that’s why we’re happy to highlight this story from Milton, Pennsylvania.

At the Milton Area School District, there’s a new policy in place that will make sure that all kids are protected. The policy, set forth by the school board, requires all school district volunteers to go through background screening before they can help out.

As the media has been reporting, the background screening will include checks consisting of FBI reports, histories of child abuse and histories of criminal activity.

As we’ve noted in our blog previously, these types of school-related background checks are increasing in popularity as parents, teachers and administrators begin to become more aware of the security risks posed by unchecked volunteers. And the last thing any school district needs is the negative PR of a scandal.

We applaud Milton Area School District for taking this important step.  We also encourage you to step forward and ask your school officials how — or if — they background check their independent volunteers.

USA Swimming Updates Background Checking Regulations

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It’s no secret that this year hasn’t been the best for USA Swimming, as a scandal earlier this year brought to light serious sexual abuse that had been occurring between USA Swimming employees and volunteers and swimmers.  As a result, updated Athlete Protection Policies were passed on Saturday at the U.S. Aquatic Sports Convention.

Among the new Policies are:

  • Penalty changes for infractions.
  • Alterations in reporting structures to protect athletes.
  • New background checking rules/regulations that extend to volunteers as well as coaches.  (Note:  USA Swimming coaches have been background checked for many years; it has been peripheral persons — assistants, volunteers — that have slipped through the cracks recently.)
  • Timely systems for dealing with any reports.

The new background checking procedures for USA Swimming will result in upwards of 40,000 more background checks taking place than have currently been happening.  USA Swimming plans that the upshot of the institution of these new background checks will be a significant reduction in the number of abuse cases that have plagued the sport.

Though this is a terrific step and we applaud USA Swimming for dealing with the crisis, it’s still imperative for parents and guardians of swimmers to ask the question about background checks for their own edification as well as their children’s protection.

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    • Milton Hershey School Settles Case, Changes Background Check Policy

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    The Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA, recently dealt with a particularly unpleasant scandal involving the molestation of students.  The perpetrator is the son of a Milton Hershey School houseparent (the school offers room and board to students) who assaulted and abused students 20 years ago. 

    The victims finally came forward and identified the person responsible several months ago, and Milton Hershey School recently settled in the case, giving the victims an undisclosed amount.  Meanwhile, the perpetrator has been charged and sentenced.

    Since the molestation 20 years ago, the Milton Hershey School revealed to reporters that it has changed its background checking policy on visitors and those who would be accessible to their students.

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    • USA Swimming Sex Abuses Highlight Need for Thorough Criminal Background Checks

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    A new story from ESPN highlights just how important thorough criminal background checks are when it comes to sports coaches working with kids.

    USA Swimming has concluded that many previously-convicted child molesters have been able to slip through incomplete background checking systems and snag coaching positions that allow them to continue to abuse young persons.

    As a result of this investigation, more complete background checks (including more in-depth criminal ones) will now be mandated for USA Swimming coaches.  As always, we encourage parents of any sport-playing child to demand that any person working with their youngster — whether volunteer or paid staff — be completely vetted. 

    After all, no organization — even the large USA Swimming — can afford this kind of national scandal.

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