YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEER LEADERS AND PARENTS

1. YOUTH PROTECTION TRAININGFOR VOLUNTEER LEADERS AND PARENTS Western Los Angeles County Council Crescent Bay District

2. Welcome

3. Training Objectives • Help protect our youth members by rigorous use and enforcement of the Youth Protection Policies • Inform our leaders and parents of the BSA’s Youth Protection Policies

4. Training Objectives • Maximize the protection of children by promoting prompt reporting of suspected abuse and violations of Youth Protection Policies • Familiarize key leaders with BSA’s Youth Protection resources and their intended use in unit programs.

5. BSA Youth Protection • Safety and well-being of our youth members and participants is our highest priority • This course is part of a youth protection program that began in 1988. • Designed to prevent child abuse and bullying in all forms – verbal, emotional, physical, sexual abuse or neglect • This training in required once every two years

6. BSA Youth Protection • This course is also available on-line atwww.MyScouting.org • From the MyScouting.org portal • Click on E-Learning • Select Youth Protection Training

7. Statistics on Bullying • Nearly 1 in 3 students is involved in bullying. • While school violence as a whole is declining, bullying behaviors are on the rise. • Kids who are obese, gay, or have disabilities are up to 63% more likely to be bullied than other children. • Boys are more likely than girls to bully others. • Boys and girls get bullied in different ways. All statistics on bullying in this post are from the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

8. Statistics on Child Abuse • Neglect is the most common form of Child Abuse • Children with disabilities are 30% more likely to be abused than non-disabled children • Girls are 3 times more likely to be sexually abused than boys • Boys are still less likely to report sexual abuse out of fear of being labeled a “homosexual” Sources U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2010). Child Maltreatment 2009. Available from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/index.htm#can

9. How Does the BSA Prevent Child Abuse and Bullying in Scouting? • BSA has adopted a number of policies aimed at eliminating opportunities for abuse within Scouting • Leadership Selection • Barriers to Abuse

10. Leadership • Being a Leader is a privilege, not a right • Quality and safety demands high-quality adult leaders • BSA and Chartered Organizations work together to recruit the best possible leaders • Background screening of all adult applicants • Cannot identify every potential child molester • Reduces the risk by learning all we can about the applicant

11. BSA’s Barriers to Abuse • These policies provide additional security for all of our members • Primarily for the protection of our youth members • Also serve to protect our adult members from false accusations of abuse

12. Barrier to Abuse:Two-deep Leadership Required on all trips and outings • Two registered adult leaders, or one registered adult leader and a parent of a participant • One of whom must be 21 years of age or older • The Chartered Organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities

13. Barrier to Abuse:No One-on-One Contact • One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. • In situations that require personal conferences, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths

14. Barrier to Abuse:Separate Accommodations • Camping:No youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian • Separate shower and latrine facilities for females is strongly encouraged • When separate facilities are not available, separate times should be scheduled and posted for males and females, youth and adults

15. Barrier to Abuse:Privacy of Youth is Respected • Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as • Changing clothes • Taking showers at camp • Adult may intrude only to protect health and safety • Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations

16. Barrier to Abuse:Inappropriate Use of Cameras Prohibited • While most youth and leaders use cameras and other imaging devices responsibly, it has become easy to invade the privacy of individuals • It is inappropriate to use any device capable of recording or transmitting visual images in shower houses, restrooms or other areas where privacy is expected

17. Barrier to Abuse:No Secret Organizations • All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders

18. Barrier to Abuse:No Hazing • Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited • Hazing may not be included as part of any Scouting activity • The difference between hazing and ceremony can get fuzzy, so when in doubt ask • Always be sensitive and supportive of a Scout’s right to say NO

19. Barrier to Abuse:No Bullying • Prohibited in Scouting: • Verbal bullying • Physical bullying • Cyber bullying • Exclusion from teams, tasks, games, groups or gatherings* *exception for disciplinary actions

20. Barrier to Abuse:Youth Leadership is Monitored by Adult Leaders • Adult Leaders must • Guide the youth leadership techniques • Monitor the youth leadership techniques • Ensure that BSA policies are followed

21. Barrier to Abuse: Discipline Must be Constructive • Discipline must be constructive and positive • Tell them what you do want rather than what you don’t want them to do. • Discipline must reflect Scouting’s values • Corporal punishment or threats are never permitted

22. Barrier to Abuse: Appropriate Attire for all Activities • Proper clothing for activities is required. • For example, skinny-dipping or revealing bathing suits are not appropriate at a Scouting Activity

23. Barrier to Abuse:Members Must Act According to Scout Oath and Scout Law • All members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law • The following have no place in any Scouting Program: physical violence, theft, verbal insults, drugs and alcohol

24. Barrier to Abuse:No Asterisks On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

25. Barrier to Abuse:Units Are Responsible for and Must Enforce Youth Protection Policies • All members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law • The following have no place in the Scouting Program: physical violence, theft, verbal insults, drugs and alcohol

26. Digital Privacy • Respect for privacy extends to digital privacy • “Sexting” is being practiced by children as young as middle school age • Most scouts and leaders use digital devices responsibly, but educating all in the appropriate use of digital devices is a good safety and privacy measure

27. Social Media Guidelines • Online social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) has made it easy to create online communities to discuss Scouting and share photos, videos and other media • BSA has created Social Media Guidelines to complement Youth Protection policies and traininghttp://bit.ly/bsa_smg

28. The “Three Rs” of Youth Protection • Recognize • Resist • Report

29. What YP Materials does BSA Have for Youth Members? • How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide • Cub Scout Video: It Happened to Me • Boy Scout Video: A Time to Tell

30. Key Resources • Guide to Safe Scouting • It Happened to Me: Meeting Guide • A Time to Tell: Meeting Guide • Personal Safety Awareness: Meeting Guide

31. How can Parents Help? • Be involved in their sons’ Scouting activities • Call attention to deviations from the BSA approved program by contacting the Chartered Organization or Unit Committee • Review the booklet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse and Drug Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” inserted into every Boy Scout and Cub Scout handbook

32. Why do Most Child Victims of Sexual Abuse Keep the Abuse Secret? • Victim is under pressure to keep the secret. • Abusers threaten the child or his family • Abusers tell the child the child will get in trouble • The silence can often be overcome by establishing open communication between children and adults through a proper education program for children

33. Why do Most Child Victims of Bullying Keep the Abuse Secret? • Victim is under pressure to keep the secret. • Bullies threaten the child or his family with retaliation • Bullies tell the child that the bullying will get worse • The silence can often be overcome by establishing open communication between children and adults through a proper education program for children

34. What Should I Do If a Boy Tells Me That He has Been Sexually Abused? • Maintain an apparent calm, reassure the child that everything is going to be okay. • Reassure the boy that you are concerned about him and would like to get him some help • You must report the incident to the Scout Executive

35. What Should I Do If a Boy Tells Me That He has Been Sexually Abused? • Under California law you MUST report to the local police or child protection agency • Do not tell any one other than the above about allegations of abuse

36. What Should I Do If a Boy Tells Me That He has Been Bullied? • Maintain an apparent calm, reassure the boy that everything is going to be okay, reserve judgment or accusations. Listen. • Reassure the child that you are concerned about him and would like to get him some help • Notify the parent to help support the child • Sit down with each child involved and his/her parent • If the incident is serious, you must report the incident to the Scout Executive

37. How Do I Know What My Reporting Responsibilities Are? • Every state has different reporting requirements • Under California law, if you have a reasonable suspicion that abuse has occurred you must report it to the local police or child protection agency • If you are reporting in “good faith”, all states provide immunity from liability for child abuse reporters

38. Youth Member Behavior Guidelines • BSA is a values based organization • Expectation: all participants will relate to each other in accord with the Scout Oath and Law • Misbehavior by a single youth may constitute a threat to the safety of the youth and others. Such misbehavior constitutes an unreasonable burden and the unit and cannot be ignored.

39. Member Responsibilities • Barrier to Abuse: Members Must Act According to Scout Oath and Scout Law • Physical violence, theft, verbal insults, drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in revocation of membership in the unit • If confronted by any form of bullying from other members, Scouts should seek help from their unit leaders or parents.

40. Unit Responsibilities • Adult leaders are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when needed. • Parents should be informed and asked for assistance with misbehaving scouts • Only use positive and constructive discipline • Report repeat or extreme behaviors to the Scouting Executive • Unit committee reviews repetitive or serious incidents of misbehavior

41. Unit Responsibilities • Units may revoke a Scout’s membership in that unit if problem behavior persists. Unit must promptly notify the council of the action. • Unit should inform the Scout Executive about all incidents involving • A physical injury • Allegations of sexual misconduct or serious bullying by youth members • All units must adhere to the Barriers to Abuse

42. Trips and Outings • Two-deep Leadership • Transportation • Meet for departure at a designated area • Prearrange schedule for periodic checkpoint stops as a group • Plan a destination point • Have mobile phone information for every vehicle • No one-on-one contact applies in vehicles

43. Trips and Outings • Safety rule of four • No fewer than four individuals go on any backcountry expedition or campout • Male and Female adults must have separate sleeping facilities • Male and Female youths must have separate sleeping facilities

44. Trips and Outings • Single-room or dormitory-type accommodations • Minimum two adults and four youth • One adult must be Youth Protection trained • Separation barriers or privacy zones must be established by adults • Tents: no youth may stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian

45. Trips and Outings • If separate shower and latrine facilities are not available, separate times should be scheduled and posted for • Male youth • Male adults • Female youth • Female adults • Two-deep adult leadership is required for flying activities

46. Youth Protection Training Quiz

47. Thank You