Boys & Girls Clubs

Background

One afternoon Jesse came home from the Boys & Girls Club afterschool program and told his mother he did not wish to return to the Club because of an incident that made him feel uncomfortable.

The Incident

According to Jesse, two Club members were bragging about a new game that required the participants to attempt to “touch each other’s butts” without the Club staff noticing. The inventors of the game decided to take it a step further and asked Jesse if he wanted to learn the new rules. At this point, they invited Jesse into the restroom and told him to pull down his pants so that they could perform oral sex on him. Jesse told them that he didn’t want to play anymore and rushed out of the bathroom.

Praesidium's Approach

Jesse’s mother made the decision to call the Club the next day. After talking to the mother, the Executive Director immediately called his Regional Service Director, who encouraged him to contact Praesidium’s free BGCA Reporting Helpline (866.607.SAFE) for assistance.

Praesidium was able to advise the Club on reporting the incident to authorities, interviewing staff regarding the facts reported by the mother, and communicating with Club parents and the local media. After purchasing Club Care® and completing the self-assessment survey, the Club learned that they not only lacked standardized bathroom procedures, but also monitoring and supervision strategies for other high risk areas of the facility.

Praesidium helped the Club review and revise their supervision policies and begin online abuse prevention training for staff and volunteers.