Report a Youth Protection Issue

There are two types of Youth Protection–related reporting procedures all volunteers must follow:

• When you witness or suspect any child has been abused or neglected—See “Mandatory Report of Child Abuse”  below.
• When you witness a violation of the BSA’s Youth Protection policies—See “Reporting Violations of BSA Youth Protection Policies”  below.

All persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. You may not abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.

Adults with regular access to or communication with children who have reason to believe a child has been abused are required to report it to the authorities. If you discover or suspect abuse:

1. Ensure the child is in a safe environment.  If the child is currently in danger of being abused, call 911 immediately.
2. As soon as possible report your discovery or suspicion to the Department of Social Services office by calling 605-773-3227.
   1. The South Dakota Mandatory Reporting brochure can help you understand reporting child abuse or neglect.  You can download the brochure here.
3. Notify the Scout Executive or his/her designee. (See contact names/numbers below.)

Scouting’s “Barriers to Abuse” outline the policies and practices that must be applied to every interaction between youth and adults. There can be no exceptions to these policies. 

Scouting units are responsible for enforcing Youth Protection policies.  If you discover a policy violation, report it to the Scout Executive or his/her designee immediately. (See contact names/numbers below.)

BSA Scouts First Helpline

1-844-SCOUTS1