Any time an independent investigation finds wrongdoing, the alleged perpetrator will be upset. They often file lawsuits against the investigator or the youth organization or both. A story about a recent lawsuit from California illustrates the pitfalls of not asking enough questions in an investigation and why…
Commissioning an independent investigation is a difficult decision for a youth organization, and it is only the beginning of the process. What happens after the report lands on your desk — how you read it, who sees it, what you do with it, and how…
One type of independent investigation that youth organizations have to face more often than other groups are allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct, whether recent or long-ago. Entering this territory requires both compassion and unflinching objectivity. Understanding how these values work together—rather than against…
The call comes during afternoon carpool pickup. A parent mentions—almost casually at first—that their daughter said something concerning about a counselor. Or you're reviewing incident reports and notice a pattern you can't ignore. Or an email lands in your inbox with "Urgent: Formal…