Preventing Abuse

The Boy Scouts are committed to eliminate opportunities for abuse within the Scouting program.  The Scouting strategy consists of five points, discussed here. 

The Boy Scouts of America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders. We work closely with our chartered organizations to help recruit the best possible leaders for their units.

The adult application requests background information that should be checked by the unit committee or the chartered organization before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While no current screening techniques exist that can identify every potential child molester, we can reduce the risk of accepting a child molester by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position—his or her experience with children, why he or she wants to be a Scout leader, and what discipline techniques he or she would use.

We have a checklist to help units do this.

We have several rules and policies to protect our youth.

• Two-deep leadership.
  Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. The chartered organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities.

• No one-on-one contact.
  One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.

• Respect of privacy.
  Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.

• Separate accommodations.
  When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.

• Proper preparation for high-adventure activities.
  Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.

• No secret organizations.
  The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.

• Appropriate attire.
  Proper clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.

• Constructive discipline.
  Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.

• Hazing prohibited.
  Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.

• Junior leader training and supervision.
  Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.