Parents fume at Scouts Queensland after leader strikes son with stick

A Gold Coast couple has slammed Scouts Queensland’s decision to potentially welcome back one of its leaders who hit their 10-year-old son.

Labrador couple Martin Skok and Kirsty Skok with son Tobias, 10. Picture Glenn Hampson

A Gold Coast couple has slammed Scouts Queensland after one of the organisation’s leaders hit their 10-year-old son with a stick during a bike ride.

The youth organisation terminated the leader in question, but told them their membership could be reviewed in 18 months if they wished to return to Scouts.

The move has infuriated Martin and Kirsty Skok, who said they felt a lack of support and transparency from Scouts Queensland after their son was left terrified.

Kirsty said the incident occurred on the night of November 17 when a group of children in the Labrador Scout Group were riding bikes.

She said her son Tobias, who has autism and ADHD, was lagging towards the back, while her husband Martin was leading the group.

Martin noticed Tobias appeared “very quiet” and had “shut down” after the ride but put it down to tiredness.

Labrador couple Martin Skok and Kirsty Skok with son Tobias, 10. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Kirsty said the next day when she asked her son about the previous night, he became “visibly distressed” to the point he was “tearful and shaking”.

Her son later told her a scout leader had hit him with a stick on the way back from the group ride because he was riding slow, she said.

“He said (the leader) picked up a stick and waved it at him and said (they were) going to put it through the spokes of his wheels,” the mum said.

“They then swung the stick around and struck his bottom, which terrified him.”

Kirsty lodged a complaint with Scouts Queensland on November 24 last year and police were also notified.

The Bulletin sighted an email from the email address of Scouts Gold Coast region commissioner Steve Marshall dated December 18 last year confirming a leader had admitted to the incident.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Marshall.

Labrador couple Kirsty and Martin Skok say their son was ‘tearful and shaking’ after the incident. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“Given (the leader) has admitted to hitting Tobias with a stick in (their) report to police, I see no alternative other than to recommend termination of (their) membership,” the email read.

“Given (the leader) undertakes suitable counselling/training in the future I would give consideration to an application to re-join in a LOA (leader of adults) position in scouting.”

The Bulletin also obtained a letter signed by Scouts Queensland chief commissioner Geoff Doo informing the leader in question their Scouts membership was terminated.

“As you are aware, this incident was reported to the Queensland Police Service. After investigation, QPS confirmed (it) did occur but were not pursuing the matter further,” Mr Doo wrote.

“While QPS chose not to pursue this matter due to the nature of the assault, your actions have breached Scouts Australia child safe scouting policy, the code of conduct and the code of ethics, and has also demonstrated a lack of judgement.

“I am willing to review your suitability for membership after a period of 18 months should you wish to return to scouting in future.”

Labrador couple Kirsty and Martin Skok are disappointed Scouts Queensland opened the door to the leader who was terminated for striking their son. Picture: Glenn Hampson

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Doo.

Scouts Queensland general manger Dougal Mayor said its policy was to report all abuse allegations to police.

“We seek to provide support to our young people and their families however we are unable to comment on individual matters,” Mr Mayor said.

Although the organisation had encouraged Kirsty to keep her children in Scouts, she said

a lack of apology, support and answers about whether the terminated leader would return had pushed her family out.

She said she wanted to speak out to prevent the same happening to other children.

“They said they want Toby to make a return to scouting, well he can’t if he doesn’t have any answers and there is no support,” Kirsty said.
“You have got to be a madman to send your kid back to that situation,” Martin added.