Incident Investigation
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota takes all incidents seriously and is committed to supporting external investigations of all reported incidents and allegations or internal investigations by appropriate members of the Safety Committee when not an externally reportable incident.
Federal, state, and local criminal and/or mandated child abuse reporting laws must be complied with before any consideration of an internal investigation. The internal investigation should never be viewed as a substitute for a required criminal or child protective services investigation.
In the event that an incident involves an allegation against a staff, volunteer, or Club member, the Club shall suspend that individual immediately and maintain the suspension throughout the course of the investigation.
External Incident Reporting
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota follows all applicable mandated reporting statutes and regulations and all applicable federal, and state statutes, including Minnesota Statute §626.556, and local laws (including those around licensing, for licensed organizations) for the protection and safety of members.
Minnesota law requires that any person who works with members and who knows or has reason to believe that a member is being neglected or physically or sexually abused (or has been within the past 3 years) shall immediately report the suspected incident to Social Services or the local police within 24 hours. Failure to do so may result in a criminal misdemeanor conviction.
What is considered abuse or neglect under the law?
- Physical or mental injury inflicted on a child other than by accidental means or which can’t be reasonably explained. Discipline which is not reasonable.
- Sexual assault or abuse.
- Neglect: depriving a child of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision appropriate to the child’s age or failure to protect a child from conditions which endanger the child’s health.
What does it mean to “know or have reason to believe” that abuse or neglect has occurred?
The child tells you about an incident that meets the criteria of abuse or neglect.
You observe physical or behavioral signs of abuse or neglect of the child that cannot be reasonably explained, or receive an explanation that doesn’t seem believable based on the age of the child or other circumstances.
What must I do if a child tells me about abuse?
- Be calm. If you appear to be angry, upset, or very emotional, the child will be frightened.
- Let the child tell you about what happened in his/her own words and then reassure him that you believe him/her.
- DO NOT ASK A LOT OF DETAILED QUESTIONS OF THE CHILD AS THIS MAY INTERFERE LATER WITH AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION.
- Believe them.
- Tell the child that s/he is not in trouble and that s/he did the right thing to tell you about what happened.
- Tell the child that you want to make sure that s/he will be safe. Let him/her know that you are going to get help so that this doesn’t happen again.
- Immediately report what the child told you to your Site Manager/Sr. Site Manager or other Director/Cabinet team member. Then, work with them to make a verbal report to Social Services or the police. The verbal report must be made within 24 hours! Document in writing what the child told you.
- Work with your Site Manager/Sr. Site Manager (or their delegate) to complete a written report. This must be submitted within 72 hours.
- Do not promise to keep secrets! If a child asks you to keep a secret, tell them that you will if you can, but you might have to tell someone else in order to keep the child safe.
What do I do if I’m not sure if the situation is serious enough to report?
- Without using names or other identifying information, describe the situation to child protection or the police.
- Allow them to assist you in determining whether to make the report.
If the allegation of child abuse cannot be proven, will I get into trouble for making the report?
- Anyone who makes a report in good faith (with a reasonable belief) may not be criminally prosecuted or sued in civil court for libel, slander, defamation, invasion of privacy, or breach of confidentiality.
Making a report in good faith will also not adversely affect the staff or volunteer’s employment or volunteer status with Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota.
General Incident Description
Safety incidents can include but are not limited to:
- Inappropriate activity between adults (18 and over) and members;
- Inappropriate activity between multiple members;
- Allegations of abuse;
- Academic dishonesty;
- Possession of/use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc.;
- Damaging personal, other member’s, or Club property;
- Theft;
- Verbal harassment;
- Bullying behavior;
- Inappropriate electronic communications between adults (18 or over) and members;
- Minor and major medical emergencies;
- Accidents, including slips and falls;
- Threats made by or against staff, volunteers and/or members;
- Physical assaults and injuries, including fights;
- Missing members;
- Criminal activity, including theft and robbery; and
- Other incidents as deemed appropriate by Club leadership.
Safety incidents include those that occur during Club programs, on Club premises, and/or during a Club- affiliated program or trip.
Internal Incident Reporting
Any staff or volunteer who becomes aware of an incident, as defined in this policy, shall immediately complete an incident report, and submit the incident to Site Management, Director of KIDSTOP, Director of Clubs or VP of Operations.
The following information shall be included in an Incident Report:
- Date and location
- Incident details (if applicable)
- Witnesses and contact information
- Consequences
- Parent notification
- Names of all involved (member and staff if applicable)
- All notifications made (first responders, parents, leadership, etc.)