| |
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.
|
|
A few Commercial Links from the SCOUTER NetCompass...
|
 Maine Whitewater Rafting-Scout Specials!
Rafting and Kayaking in Maine - Scout Specials, Camping, Cabins, Meals, Hiking, Biking, Climbing Wall, Team Building and More!
Sierra Trading Post -- Outdoor Gear
Sierra Trading Post offers savings on name brand camping and hiking gear. Find outdoor gear from Komperdell, Burton, Vector, Sigg, Crazy Creek, Eureka, The North Face and more.
The Mega Event(R) Fundraising
Your fundraising needs are covered!
Moxie Rafting Maine & Massachusetts
Daily whitewater rafting and river trips in New England.
Bahamas Historic Pirate Sailing Week
Experience sailing of 250 years ago.
Whitewater rafting in NC and TN
Whitewater rafting adventures on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers near Asheville, NC.
Colorado whitewater rafting
Arkansas River rafting on the way to Philmont
Add your link to SCOUTER NetCompass
|
|
|
 |
|
|
