Preventing Abuse

Working in Scouting has its rewards, challenges, and responsibilities.

Every Scouter should be well versed in recognizing, reporting and, most importantly, preventing abuse.

Abuse is a difficult reality in society; it can and will find its way into Scouting.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a good opportunity for all of us to review our organizational policies and individual preparedness.

Excellent abuse prevention, recognition and reporting training is available from the BSA: Youth Protection & Adult Leadership And from Prevent Child Abuse America : Recognizing Child Abuse: What You Should Know (PDF) An Approach to Preventing Child Abuse (PDF) Ten Ways to Help Prevent Child Abuse (PDF) Emotional Child Abuse (PDF) My darkest days as a Scouter have been spent dealing with incidents of abuse.

Unfortunately I have seen it all and I offer my support if you are faced with responding to an incident of abuse. If you think talking to someone who has been through this before would be helpful.