Re: Female Scout Leaders
John-Bill (J.H.J.Gooijen@STUD.TUE.NL)
Mon, 13 Jan 1997 12:27:51 +0100
Debi Manning wrote:
> In Boy Scouts, I can camp in the same site with the boys in my
> troop/pack. I can only share a tent with my own sons, but I am still in
> the same campsite. All the leaders are. And lets face it, if a person,
> male or female, is going to sexually abuse a child it seldom happens at
> camp, there are too many others around. It would happen at home, etc,
> generally not where there are lots of people.
I agree with all your views, Debi. Except for your point that abuse seldom
happens at camp. Seldom is to often; it should NOT happen!
If I ever had a single doubt about the intentions of one of the scouters in
my Scouting Group, I would confront him/her about it. If our Group would
find a Scouter in a wrong situation (peeking, taking photo's) we wouldn't
only exclude him, but also make it public so that he can't join another
Scouting Group.
I once heard a Leader say: "I distrust everyone, when it comes to abuse.
And I expect the others to distrust me. That's the only way to keep your
eyes open and make sure no ones abused."
I don't agree to this. I do trust the Scouters in my Group. If I didn't, I
wouldn't want to work with them. Just as I wouldn't let my children join a
pack or troop, wich staff I didn't trust.
Within Scouting Nederland hardly any child-molestation takes place. (Last
year there was one group, where they did find an abusive leader.) That's
pretty special, as it's the largest child organisation in Holland. I guess
a good selection is made of people who want to join, at the local
Group-level.
In Scouting Nederland gays can join as well. This doesn't lead to more
abose, as the percentage of child-molesters is even smaller under gays.
I know two lesbians that together lead a Girl Guides Troup. They do a fine
job of it.
YiS,
John-Bill Tro
Scouting Bekkerveld
Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
