Have Scouts said anything about Assistant leader 'Baloo' Challenor?

'Doesn't work then does it?'. Would be my response.

Ok I’ve just had a reply.
He’s in the middle of work, which I appreciate, but just said we have very robust safeguarding policies, here’s a link yada yada yada.
Not sure how or if I should respond.

I know the UK chief commissioner for scouting through a social activity I’ve been involved in. I think he was the head of safeguarding beforehand so he should have a good handle on this stuff.
I’ve just sent him a message with a link to the DM article and that dog and bear link that suggests DC was working within the organisation at the time of the offence. I’ve told him that a lot of people are very angry at the scouts silence over this, and that it needs to be investigated and people need answers and reassurances.
I’ll let you know if I get a reply.

Because standing shoulder to shoulder with the disabled, or with refugees, or the elderly will mean campaigning about concrete things things that affect people who often don't have a strong voice themselves, like access to public transport, or adequate support for language integration, or organising dignified social care. If we stand shoulder to shoulder with those shouting 'Transwomen are women', all we have to do is say the mantra, and there you are, standing shoulder to shoulder with well connected men who already get preferential treatment on account of their brave and stunning status.

It will cost you nothing. (Except maybe your self respect on the days when you approach a little more clarity)

I still don't understand why it's not shoulder to shoulder with disables people or refugees or people with dyslexia, the elderly... Why specifically trans (follow the money...).

This sort of thing should get the Guides to rethink their policy, but sadly, I don't think it will.

May 2018 event at Speaker's House hosted by Maria Miller MP re Girl Guides 'the importance of standing shoulder to shoulder with trans people' (thread includes discussion about Scouts):
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3250175-Girl-Guides-Panel-discussion-at-Speakers-house-woman-male-woman-male-male-male#prettyPhoto

Our safeguarding procedures are not comprehensive and often fail as it is. Yet extremist transactivism wants to dissolve and/or weaken them further. We evidence this here over and over.

Recent important thread with wide-ranging discussion of the systemic failures and failings of child protection & safeguarding frameworks:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/a3301266-Safeguarding-girls-and-protecting-women-post-Jimmy-Saville-metoo

www.thefreelibrary.com/In+the+courts-a0357547534

Both of them, Datun. In 2014, so may have been after the involvement with the scouts etc. We don't know.

DC was. The below is in the public domain

CASES heard at Coventry Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 12, included: David Challenor, 45, of Charterhouse Road, Lower Stoke, was found guilty of failing to provide suitable environments for two corn snakes, a bearded dragon, two cats, three dogs, a hamster, two hedgehogs and two rabbits. He was jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, with 200 hours' unpaid work, and told to pay an PS80 victim surcharge and PS500 costs.

Was it DC or his wife who were prosecuted for animal cruelty?

If it was DC, surely that would have shown up on the DBS. Would that not have been sufficient to bar him working with kids?

I resumed my Baloo name and am now one of the biggest kids in the pack

Ugh.

I will be interested to see those stats . Please could you provide a link.

I think it is misguided and unsafe to assume that having a female leader in place makes an organisation somewhat safer.

Experience and statistics show that having a female leader will make organisations safer. This is just a phrasing that basically says 'but women do it too'. In my eyes just as stupid as 'but what about men'.

I think it is misguided and unsafe to assume that having a female leader in place makes an organisation somewhat safer.
.
It's an extra level of safe-guarding. I told my children that if they ever got lost, they had to go to the nearest 'mum' or 'grandma'.

Never the nearest male

I think it is misguided and unsafe to assume that having a female leader in place makes an organisation somewhat safer.

Scouts have been asked by me and at least two other scouting parents on this thread alone to explain their position though Seeing. They aren't only responsible to the press.

Though if the press aren't asking for a statement, wtf not?

I think that's reassuring, Lisa2445. I must admit though, I'd have reservations about any troop that didn't have at least one female volunteer, especially for the younger packs. That's not scare-mongering, just common sense.

Timelady yes definitely, unfortunately there was another similar story recently but the initial report to the police came from the scouts as they had their concerns which did turn out to be true :(

Scouts haven't made a statement as they probably haven't been asked by press to make one.

Surely the Scouts should be proactive in this. That's why I said that I thought they should be sending out press releases to provide clarity and information in relation to DC's relationship with the Scouts - especially in relation to timescales and what, if any action, they have taken.

It may well be that DC has had no involvement with Scouting for a number of years, and his convictions for animal cruelty and now for the torture and rape of a little girl related to a time after he was with the Scouts. However, it is being reported that this man, convicted of sexual violence against a child has or had a leadership role in the Scouts.

And the Scouts are saying .... nothing.

certainly in the scout group here, you have a DBS every 3 years, its a proper recruitment process with references and interviews, you all get safeguarding training, they don't do things like be alone with a child, they would expect you to report anything you were uncomfortable with to a safeguarding lead. if you have a 3 month break and aren't 'seen' you need another check. It seems just as professional as the school I work at.

Its not a foolproof system and I do wonder reading this is different in different areas.

To quote LangCleg (again, because it cannot be said enough):

I know that opinion formers and politicians and their researchers read this forum.

LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING SAID.

Our safeguarding procedures are not comprehensive and often fail as it is. Yet extremist transactivism wants to dissolve and/or weaken them further. We evidence this here over and over. And yet government and big third sector money (hello Comic Relief, hello Children in Need) continues to be funnelled to these lobby groups even as they issue guidance which in some cases is unlawful.

FUCKING DO SOMETHING.

Are you encouraged to report on any misgivings you have about your volunteer colleagues, Lisa4225?

As a cub leader myself I’m interested to find out how or if this was missed (dates unconfirmed) the scouts will suspend from the point of arrest / being informed if they know about it.

Unfortunately there are bad people in all walks of life, over the past few years I’ve seen quiet shy kids develop into confident young people happy to jump of cliffs into the sea, do climbing, high ropes etc. I put my kids through a different group with different leaders and they had a lot of fun, made new friends and learnt plenty of new skills over the years

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers are all run completely by volunteers who give up their time each week to plan and run the sessions and 99.999 percent are legit but you’ll always get the odd adult who has the wrong intentions whether that be in schools, football clubs etc .... when an adult joins they have to do a DBS check and an appointments committee where a group of adults talk to you and report any concerns.... pretty sure both these are renewed every 5 years

I know that opinion formers and politicians and their researchers read this forum.

LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING SAID.

Our safeguarding procedures are not comprehensive and often fail as it is. Yet extremist transactivism wants to dissolve and/or weaken them further. We evidence this here over and over. And yet government and big third sector money (hello Comic Relief, hello Children in Need) continues to be funnelled to these lobby groups even as they issue guidance which in some cases is unlawful.

FUCKING DO SOMETHING.

Co signed.