Youth Protection
The Boy Scouts of
America places the greatest importance on creating the
most secure environment possible for our youth members.
To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed
numerous procedural and
leadership selection policies and provides parents
and leaders the following
online,
and print resources for the
Cub Scout,
Boy Scout, and
Venturing programs.
The Boy Scouts of
America takes great pride in the quality of our adult
leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege,
not a right. The quality of the program and the safety
of our youth members call for high-quality adult
leaders. We work closely with our chartered
organizations to help recruit the best possible leaders
for their units.
The adult application
requests background information that should be checked
by the unit committee or the chartered organization
before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While
no current screening techniques exist that can identify
every potential child molester, we can reduce the risk
of accepting a child molester by learning all we can
about an applicant for a leadership position—his or her
experience with children, why he or she wants to be a
Scout leader, and what discipline techniques he or she
would use.
The Boy Scouts of
America takes great pride in the quality of our adult
leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege,
not a right. The quality of the program and the safety
of our youth members call for high-quality adult
leaders. Our chartered organizations endeavor to recruit
the best possible leaders for their units.
The adult application
requests background information that should be checked
by the unit committee or the chartered organization
before accepting an applicant f or unit leadership.
While no current screening techniques exist that can
identify every potential child molester, we can reduce
the risk of accepting a child molester by learning all
we can about an applicant for a leadership position—his
or her experience with children, why he or she wants to
be a Scout leader, and other matters.
Barriers to Abuse
Within Scouting
The BSA has adopted the
following policies to provide additional security for
our members. These policies are primarily for the
protection of our youth members; however, they also
serve to protect our adult leaders from false
accusations of abuse.
- Two-deep
leadership. Two registered adult leaders or one
registered leader and a parent of a participant, or
other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or
older, are required on all trips and outings. The
chartered organization is responsible for ensuring
that sufficient leadership is provided for all
activities.
- No one-on-one
contact. One-on-one contact between adults and
youth members is not permitted. In situations that
require personal conferences, such as a
Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be
conducted in view of other adults and youths.
- Respect of
privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy
of youth members in situations such as changing
clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only
to the extent that health and safety require. Adults
must protect their own privacy in similar
situations.
- Separate
accommodations. When camping, no youth is
permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other
than his own parent or guardian. Councils are
strongly encouraged to have separate shower and
latrine facilities for females. When separate
facilities are not available, separate times for
male and female use should be scheduled and posted
for showers.
- Proper
preparation for high-adventure activities.
Activities with elements of risk should never be
undertaken without proper preparation, equipment,
clothing, supervision, and safety measures.
- No secret
organizations. The Boy Scouts of America does
not recognize any secret organizations as part of
its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are
open to observation by parents and leaders.
- Appropriate
attire. Proper clothing for activities is
required. For example, skinny-dipping is not
appropriate as part of Scouting.
- Constructive
discipline. Discipline used in Scouting should
be constructive and reflect Scouting's values.
Corporal punishment is never permitted.
- Hazing
prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations are
prohibited and may not be included as part of any
Scouting activity.
- Junior leader
training and supervision. Adult leaders must
monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by
junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are
followed.
- Member
responsibilities. All members of the Boy Scouts
of America are expected to conduct themselves in
accordance with the principles set forth in the
Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing,
bullying, theft, verbal insults, drugs, and alcohol
have no place in the Scouting program and may result
in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the
unit.
- Unit
responsibilities. The head of the chartered
organization or chartered organization
representative and the local council must approve
the registration of the unit's adult leader. Adult
leaders of Scouting units are responsible for
monitoring the behavior of youth members and
interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members
who misbehave should be informed and asked for
assistance in dealing with it.
The "three R's" of
Youth Protection
The "three R's" of Youth
Protection convey a simple message to youth members:
- Recognize
situations that place you at risk of being molested,
how child molesters operate, and that anyone could
be a molester.
- Resist
unwanted and inappropriate attention. Resistance
will stop most attempts at molestation.
- Report
attempted or actual molestation to a parent or other
trusted adult. This prevents further abuse and helps
to protect other children. Let the Scout know he or
she will not be blamed for what occurred
A Time to Tell: Troop Meeting Guide -
English,
Español
Video Facilitator Guides. English and Spanish meeting
guides for facilitators' use when showing the
age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention video.
It Happened to Me: Cub Scout Meeting Guide
-
English,
Español
Video Facilitator Guides. A sample letter to parents and
guardians as well as English and Spanish meeting guides
for facilitators' use when showing the age-appropriate
sexual abuse prevention video.
