We all want our children to have positive experiences as they grow up, probably as much as we don’t want them to sit in front of a screen all day when school is out. This makes summer camps a great option, and while many provide a safe space for them to play, explore, and learn new skills, many fail miserably. Unfortunately, the California summer camp sexual abuse lawyer with the Senator’s Firm is all too familiar with how camps cover up or mishandle reports of abuse.
What Motivates a Camp to Ignore or Deny Abuse Claims?
Most individuals who end up working with summer camps will probably agree that every child deserves to feel safe, and that it’s our job as adults to protect them from abuse. However, the motivations for covering camp abuse are never focused on child welfare, though they are often worried about:
- Losing funding
- Losing enrollment
- Bad press
- Civil and criminal consequences
In many of these cases, children are abused as a result of someone else’s mistake or negligence. If the camp failed to complete background checks or references on someone who has a history of abuse, they could be responsible. Similarly, if they fail to train staff on signs and indicators of abuse, allowing clear signs to be missed, they may also be held liable.
Strategies Camps May Use to Cover Up Abuse
The systemic abuse of children is not a new or uncommon phenomenon, and there are several ways they do this.
Ignoring or Reducing the Reports
In many instances, a child reports their abuse to another counselor or trusted person, who then ignores it or downplays it. They may decide that the report isn’t credible enough for the risk to the accused, they lack training on how to appropriately handle a disclosure, or they don’t want the hassle of a full report and investigation
Handling the Complaint Internally
A common practice for covering up abuse in camps and institutions is by claiming to handle the situation internally. While some may think this is an appropriate middle ground that protects kids while also safeguarding their reputation, it often falls short.
Sometimes the perpetrator is terminated from employment, but evades an investigation, which leaves them free to continue their abuse in other places. In some, more nefarious situations, the staff may simply be transferred to another camp or location to give the impression that the situation was handled.
Retaliation Against Those Who Report
One of the more egregious acts is when a camp intimidates or threatens those who want to report what they heard. They may say it is against company policy, and they will be written up or fired for making a report outside of the company, or it may be clear that you will face other adverse employment action for filing a report.
In most cases, your child’s camp should be staffed with individuals who are mandated reporters. This means they are required to report any suspected child abuse or neglect, regardless of their determination of validity. Those who fail to make the report may face criminal charges and civil liability in any abuse resulting from their silence.