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    SCOUTER Feature:

    Youth Protection
    and Scouting

    by MaryAnn Gardner

    In the Guide to Safe Scouting the BSA says:

    Because of the great concern the Boy Scouts of America has for the problem of child abuse in our society, the Youth Protection program has been developed to help safeguard both our youth and adult members. Published and videotaped materials have been prepared to give professionals and volunteers information on the resources available for educating our member-ship about child abuse - how to avoid it, how to identify it, and how to deal with it.

    Abuse, Harassment, and Hazing in Scouting
    BSA YP Training
    What is Available on SCOUTER's YP Compass Point?
    What YOU can do to help

    Abuse, harassment, and hazing in any form have no place in Scouting. Parents and Leaders MUST prepare themselves and the youth in their charge to, ideally, prevent abuse from occurring. Become familiar with BSA's five-point strategy for prevention of child sexual abuse. The elements it contains will help to educate both youth and adult members of Scouting about the problem.

    All Leaders and as many parents as possible should receive BSA training in Youth Protection. Contact your Council for information about Scouting's Youth Protection Videos. Scouting Units should establish and practice clear-cut rules of conduct for adults toward scouts and for Scouts toward other Scouts. Such rules should include instruction on the procedure for reporting violations.

    Additional education for Scouts about "Self-Protection" is necessary. Safe Scouting Guidelines include the Three Rs of Youth Protection - to Recognize, Resist, and Report molestors. Leaders would be wise to designate a troop meeting to discuss the Child's Bill of Rights which states:

    When faced with a situation I think is dangerous, I have the right to:

    • Trust my instincts or feelings.
    • Expect privacy.
    • Say no to unwanted touching or affection.
    • Say no to inappropriate demands and requests from adults.
    • Withhold information that could place me in danger.
    • Refuse gifts.
    • Be rude or unhelpful if the situation warrants.
    • Run, scream, and make a scene.
    • Physically fight off unwanted advances.
    • Ask for help.

    SCOUTER's Youth Protection Compass Point not only contains much information about the BSA Youth Protection Policy, it also has eleven sub-categories with information and links to web sites such as Prevent Child Abuse America which is "... dedicated to making the health and well-being of children a top priority for everyone. . ..", and Community Watch which is an international effort to protect the children of the world. This group not only establishes child protection organizations within cities in the United States and throughout the world, it also provides a place to exchange ideas with child protection advocates from other countries who may have solutions that prove to be effective in solving your local problems.

    One sub-category contains only links to articles about Youth Protection. Another, has links to both National and Local phone numbers of hot lines specifically providing emergency help to youth. You can learn about the efforts of others by visiting the Youth Protection web sites of Western Australia Scouting.

    Within the Youth Protection Compass Point, there are also several sub-categories about child safety on the internet. In these categories you will find links to web filtering software to help parents monitor and screen what their children view online, child-safe search enginesand chat rooms that help shield Scouts and all children from inappropriate content and online predators. There are links to Online-Safety newsletters to which parents can subscribe to help them stay informed as well as a sub-category containing articles discussing online-safety. Parents and Scout Leaders will find many links to tips on how to help prevent abuse both in society and families, and on the internet, as well as sample agreements that can be printed and signed by both parent and child as to how the internet will be used.

    IMHO, one of the best sites this on this topic is The Life Advice® pamphlet titled Protecting Your Child which was producedby the MetLife Consumer Education Center. Parents and Leaders would do well to read the information provided.

    As this Youth Protection Compass Point was researched, one idea presented itself over and over. No matter how many rules and regulations and guidelines are established, no matter how many web sites are built, or organizations formed, nothing can guarantee to completely shield a young person from those who would choose to prey upon him or her. Parents and Leaders MUST assume a personal responsibility to monitor a child's activities both on and off the internet. Using the tools provided by the Boy Scouts of America and other organizations they MUST personally do everything possible to protect the child from abuse in any form and to prevent abuse if possible.

    In addition, adults MUST strive to educate youth as to

    • How to avoid abusive situations

    • What to do if they find themselves in such a situation

    • And, ultimately, teach youth how to protect themselves.

    What can you do?

    • To find out more about this subject, browse this Compass Point and its sub-categories. There are more than 100 links available.

    • Contact your local Scout Office for information about it's Youth Protection program and training. Arrange for training for yourself and other adults in your Unit. Schedule time to provide Scouts with information about self-protection.

    • Get to know the young people around you. Let them know that they can come to you for help in any situation. Promise them you will always do everything you can to help when they come to you. Then, carry through on that promise.


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