Scouting America places the greatest importance on maintaining the most secure environment possible for our youth members.
The unfortunate truth is that child abuse – sexual or otherwise – can and does occur anywhere. The younger the victim, the more likely it is that the abuser is a family member*. But you should know that Scouting, thanks to decades of work, is one of the safest youth activities available today because of a culture of prevention between our members, parents, volunteers, and staff. Our policies, procedures, and training have evolved to learn from the past while also borrowing from best practices developed by leading experts in this field. Today, Scouting America’s youth protection practices are the “gold standard” among youth-serving organizations:
“.. several independent child-protection experts told The Associated Press that the Scouts — though buffeted in the past by many abuse-related lawsuits — are now considered a leader in combating sexual abuse.
‘The [Boy] Scouts have the most advanced policies and training,’ said Victor Vieth, a former prosecutor who heads the National Child Protection Training Center in Minnesota. ‘With even slight violations, there’s no debate. Someone who transgresses one of these rules is moved out — you don’t need to give them a second chance.'”
As has been the case since our program’s start in 1910, there are many more volunteer leaders and parents than there are professional Scouting employees. It is critical that every adult in our program – whether they are a uniformed leader or a parent of a Scout – knows and follows Scouting America’s Youth Protection policies; when adults follow Scouting America policies, Scouts stay safe.
Here’s more on this point from Dr. Michael Bourke, PhD, Chief Psychologist with the Behavioral Analysis Unit, United States Marshal Service, and Chair of Scouting America’s Youth Protection Committee:
*Child Sexual Abuse Statistics (2014). Darkness to Light.
