Boy Scouts Model

Pervs have no place in youth sports. We all agree on that. What we can't seem to figure out, though, is what to do about it.

We continue to see reports about a few coaches, parents, and teammates being weird. The Penn State mess put the sexual abuse issue on the front page.

Folks are outraged! They demand to know what's being done about it, right?

If we want to get serious about getting nutcases out - and keeping them out - of youth sports, we may want to check out the progress made by the Boy Scouts of America.

Read more on youth groups and what they're doing to combat sexual abuse here.

The scouts have had serious problems in the past and are making a strong effort to improve.

"The Boy Scouts have the most advanced policies and training," said Victor Vieth, a former prosecutor who heads the National Child Protection Training Center in Minnesota. "With even slight violations, there's no debate. Someone who transgresses one of these rules is moved out -- you don't need to give them a second chance."

After comparing the BSA improvements and the changes we're seeing at USA Swimming, I have to think that we're headed in the right direction.

Still, we all want things to move more quickly though, don't we? Dragging feet led to additional victims in Pennsylvania, right?

Finally, pay close attention to this quote from the article:

"Pedophiles are slick," said Judy Spangler, chief program officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania. "They groom everyone — the agency, the parents, the child ... If someone seems too good to be true, that's a red flag."

You have been warned!