Law enforcement Explorer programs were created to mentor teens interested in policing. But decades of weak oversight created an environment where officers could manipulate that trust. Some exploited their roles, using their authority to groom, abuse, and silence the very teens they were entrusted to guide. Resources: RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network: 24/7 hotline and resources for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): Research, education, and tools to support prevention and survivor recovery. Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelphotline.org VictimConnect Resource Center: Provides free, confidential support and referrals for people affected by crime, including sexual abuse and misconduct by authority figures. Call 1-855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) or visit victimconnect.org National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): Expert guidance, therapist locators, and educational tools for families navigating trauma and abuse. Call or text the Bloom helpline at 1-888-606-HOPE (4673) or visit bloom365.org CDC – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Evidence-based strategies and data about child sexual abuse in the U.S. Call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org Crisis Text Line: 24/7 mental health support via text. Text "HOME" to 741741 or visit crisistextline.org National Domestic Violence Hotline: Support for those experiencing abuse or coercive control. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text "START" to 88788, or visit thehotline.org Love is Respect: Help for teens and young adults in abusive relationships. Call 1-866-331-9474, text "LOVEIS" to 22522, or visit loveisrespect.org National Center for Victims of Crime: Provides advocacy, legal information, and trauma-informed resources for survivors of sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation. Ask direct questions. Who runs the program? What are the policies around texting, ride-alongs, and one-on-one interactions? Are there rules that limit contact between adult officers and minors outside of scheduled events? Insist on transparency. Reputable programs should have clear, written guidelines about communication, supervision, and conduct. Ask to see them. Monitor ride-alongs. Know who your child is riding with, how long they're gone, and what the reporting procedures are. Watch the tech. Officers or advisors should never be Snapchatting, DMing, or texting minors privately. Monitor app usage and discuss healthy boundaries. Get involved. Show up to meetings. Get to know the adults running the program. Your presence as a parent or guardian helps make the space safer for everyone. Keep communication open. Let your child know they can talk to you about anything -- especially if something makes them uncomfortable. Make it clear that they won’t be in trouble for speaking up. Getting Help: If you or someone you know has experienced abuse in a Police Explorer or similar youth program, here’s what to do: Believe them. If a child or teen discloses abuse, believe what they say. Stay calm, listen, and affirm that it’s not their fault. Praise them for coming forward. Report it. If the child is in danger, call 911. Otherwise, contact your local police, sheriff's department, or state child protection agency. If you’re concerned local police might have a conflict of interest, contact your state police, state attorney general, or the FBI. Document/preserve everything. Save messages, screenshots, call logs — anything that could help support the report. Seek emotional support: Abuse by a trusted adult is incredibly disorienting. You and/or your child deserve compassionate care from someone trained in trauma -- like a therapist, school counselor, or crisis line advocate. Connect with survivor resources. Many organizations offer specialized support for young people. Consult legal counsel: Some survivors explore civil legal action against individuals or institutions. An attorney familiar with institutional abuse cases can help assess your options. Red Flags: Signs of Grooming or Abuse in Explorer Programs: Abuse by authority figures often begins with grooming -- a gradual, often-subtle process that builds trust before violating it. Here are common warning signs in youth law enforcement programs: “Special” treatment. One teen is singled out for attention, gifts, mentorship, or exclusive opportunities not given to others. Excessive one-on-one contact. Repeated private ride-alongs, late-night messages, or invitations to hang out off-duty. Private communication. The adult uses personal texting apps, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, or other unmonitored channels to talk to a minor. Overstepping/blurring boundaries. Inappropriate compliments, jokes about relationships, or sharing personal details not appropriate for a mentor-mentee dynamic. Isolation. The adult discourages the teen from talking to others about their relationship or makes the teen feel responsible for their secrecy. Gaslighting or guilt. The adult blames the teen for misunderstandings, manipulates their emotions, or makes them feel they’ll “ruin someone’s life” if they speak out. Physical contact. Touch that’s unnecessary, prolonged, or makes the teen uncomfortable -- even if it’s framed as casual or accidental. You can learn more about The Good segment and even submit a story of your own by visiting The Good page on our website! 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