Steps to Report Child Abuse
As adults in Scouting, we are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. This means, each of us are required by law to report reasonable suspicions of abuse. As such, if we are approached by a child reporting abuse or neglect, we will always believe the child. Scouts and their families in Troop 41 can rest assured knowing your leadership team is trained and prepared to protect the children we serve.
In the event of reasonable suspicions of abuse or neglect, the following steps are to be taken:
Ensure the child is in a safe environment.
In case of child abuse or medical emergencies, call 911 immediately.
In addition, if the suspected abuse occurred in the Scout’s home or family, you are required by state law to immediately report/contact the local child abuse hotline. In Massachusetts, that number is (800) 792-5200.
Notify our Scout Executive or his/her designee. If they cannot be reached, call the 24/7 Scouts First Helpline at 1-844-726-8871 or email at scoutsfirst@scouting.org.
Click logo to take Safeguarding Youth Training.
Scouting America Youth Protection Mission Statement
True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within Scouting America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, territory, council, district, and unit levels.
Leadership Selection
Scouting America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in Scouting America is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders.
Scouting America has a multilayered adult leader selection process that includes criminal background checks administered by a nationally recognized third party and other screening efforts. Click here for information on the selection process.
Required Training
Safeguarding Youth training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.
Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
Parents and Safeguarding Youth Training
You do not have to be a registered member of Scouting America to take Safeguarding Youth Training. In fact, Troop 41 encourages parents and all participating adults to take the online training.
To take the training, go to my.scouting.org and create an account or use an existing account. You’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.
From the My.Scouting.org portal, you can launch the Safeguarding Youth Training from the home page. Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application, or wait for an email with your certificate to be sent to your email address. Your training will automatically be updated in our system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created the account.
Rank books include a pamphlet entitled, “Youth Protection: How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse, A Parent’s Guide“. Scouts and their families are required to complete these activities to earn rank. We hope you will find this pamphlet as important as we do!
Scouting's Barriers to Abuse
Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse are published in the Guide to Safe Scouting and the online version is maintained as the most current. Frequently-asked questions are also addressed in this FAQ.
Other Important Resources
>> Personal Safety Awareness Training: Scouting America is committed to creating safe environments for Scouts and leaders. Child abuse is an uncomfortable topic but an important one for us to cover to ensure the safety and well-being of our Scouts. Scouting America has partnered with subject-matter experts from the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation to present the Personal Safety Awareness Series. The Personal Safety Awareness Series main goal is to educate teens about what to do if they experience abusive behavior, educate them about safe and unsafe touches, and encourage them to go to a parent or another trusted adult for help. Watch Personal Safety Awareness Videos.
>> Bullying Awareness: The idea that a Scout should treat others as he or she wants to be treated—a Scout is kind—is woven throughout the programs and literature of the Scouting America. When a Scout follows the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, bullying and hazing situations should never occur. These fact sheets will help with bullying awareness and direct you to resources provided by Scouting America and other entities we work with to protect children.
