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Addressing Allegations in Youth Exchange Programs: A Case Study of Support and Accountability

This text provides a detailed account of an alleged inappropriate incident involving a Rotary Youth Exchange program. It describes the response process, from initial reporting by the student to investigations by the police and family services. The narrative emphasizes the importance of following established policies and protocols, recommending actions for better handling of such situations, including thorough screenings, immediate suspensions, and ongoing support for affected students. It reflects on the struggles faced by the student following the incident and highlights the need for awareness and education within the program.

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Addressing Allegations in Youth Exchange Programs: A Case Study of Support and Accountability

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  1. The Incident Paul Bricker District 6060 Youth Exchange Chair/YEO

  2. Who Am I? • Yeoggie • Parent not Friend • Q. “You’re a hard !@# aren’t you?” • A. “Yes I am!”

  3. The Club • Almost 100 members • Long history of hosting exchange students • Always able to come up with enough help to make the program work

  4. The Student • 15 Years Old • Outgoing • Intelligent

  5. The Rotarian • Member since 2003 • Hosted since 2003 • VERY active in the community • VERY nice guy • Insisted on Female Student • Students had more problems in his home than the other two homes.

  6. The ALLEGED Incident • Allegedly occurred within a few weeks of being placed in the home • Allegedly involved inappropriate contact • Touching • Kissing • Fondling

  7. How it was reported • First to another exchange student • Then to the counselor's spouse • Counselor contacted • Inbound coordinator • Then to the Division of Family Service • From there a life of it’s own • Police • State Department • Home Gov’t

  8. What about the Student? • Immediately removed from the home • Order of protection • Received counseling from a specialist • Interviewed by Family Services • Interviewed by the Police • Interviewed by a Forensic Sexual Abuse Specialist

  9. Where is the student now? • Returned home 3 days after reporting incident • Has had many difficulties since returning home • Regrets telling anyone

  10. The rest of the story… • After the initial allegations another incident was discovered • Then another • 3 students, 3 years, 5 alleged inappropriate actions • None of the students had met

  11. How was it handled? • Initially nothing was done to the Rotarian other than the investigation by the Police and Prosecutor • Upon discovery of the RI policies the Rotarian was suspended • Subsequently he requested a ‘leave of absence’ from the club

  12. What could we have done better? • Applications • Statement of Conduct – signed!! • Background checks???? • Immediate Suspension • RI says removal from all contact

  13. Recommendations • SUPPORT THE STUDENT • FOLLOW YOUR POLICY

  14. Recommendations (con’t) • Educate the District Committee • Educate the Counselors • Educate the Student • Remember the initial report was to another student – a male student!

  15. Recommendations (con’t) • SUPPORT THE STUDENT • FOLLOW YOUR POLICY

  16. Recommendations (con’t) • Report it to the appropriate state agency • Report it to the proper local agency • Report it to the Youth Exchange Committee • Report it to the District Governor • Report it to RI

  17. Recommendations (con’t) • SUPPORT THE STUDENT • FOLLOW YOUR POLICY

  18. Recommendations (con’t) • Cooperate with the investigation • Leave personal feelings out • Stay out of situations involving your home club

  19. Recommendations (con’t) • SUPPORT THE STUDENT • FOLLOW YOUR POLICY

  20. Recommendations (con’t) • Follow our own rules • Insist the counselors and host families follow the rules • Insist the student follow the rules

  21. Recommendations (con’t) • SUPPORT THE STUDENT • FOLLOW YOUR POLICY

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