Youth Protection Is Our #1 Priority!
While Scouting America continuously evaluates and strengthens its Youth Protection programs, the organization recognizes that abuse can happen anywhere, even in Scouting. Scouting America’s safeguards include the following:
- All volunteers must complete a rigorous application and screening process before joining Scouting. As part of this requirement, applicants must provide references and submit to a national criminal background check. Scouting America also verifies that the organization has not received any prior allegations of misconduct on the volunteer’s part by checking names in the Ineligible Volunteer Files. Scouting America’s goal is to ensure that all adult volunteers represent the values and character outlined in the Scout Oath and Scout Law and are good leaders for youth.
- All volunteers are required to complete Youth Protection Training and must renew the training every two years. This training is accessible to the general public online on Scouting America’s website. Please review the training, as it provides important information about detecting and preventing abuse, no matter where it may occur.
- Scouting’s two-deep leadership policy requires at least two adults to be present for all Scouting activities. No youth should ever be alone with a Scout leader for any reason.
- Every Scouts BSA and Cub Scout handbook includes a pamphlet to help parents teach their children how to recognize, resist and report abuse. If you have not done so already, please immediately review and discuss this information with your unit leaders and encourage them to bring it to the attention of all Scout parents. A copy of the pamphlet and other youth-oriented literature is available under the Youth Protection tab on the Scouting America website.
- All Scouting activities are open to parents, and Scouting America encourages families to enjoy Scouting together.
- Scouting America has a mandatory reporting policy, which means all persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. No person may abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person. Notify Deputy Scout Executive Lee Murdoch of this report or any violation of Scouting America’s Youth Protection policies so he may take appropriate action for the safety of our Scouts, make appropriate notifications, and follow up with investigating agencies.
Additional Information
Scouting America’s Youth Protection policies and procedures can be accessed by visiting www.ScoutingAmericaYouthProtection.org
- Access Youth Protection Contacts.
- Download a poster outlining Scouting America’s Youth Protection procedures.
- Download the Youth Protection Chapter from the Guide to Safe Scouting.
