Transcript Learning for Life

Youth Protection
Training
Definition of Child Abuse
The idea of what child abuse is has
expanded greatly in the last 25 years.
We first thought of parents who battered
their children, but now it is much broader.
Parenting actions that cause harm or
violates social norms are forms of abuse.
It just simply is not the way children should
be treated.
5 Point Plan for Youth Protection
Educating volunteers, parents, and participating
youth to aid in the detection and prevention of
abuse
Establishing leader-selection procedures to
prevent offenders from entering Learning for Life
leadership ranks
Establishing policies that create barriers to
abuse within the program
Encouraging youth to report improper behavior
in order to identify offenders quickly
Swift removal and reporting of alleged offenders
Four Kinds of Abuse
Physical Abuse: Nonaccidental bodily
injury by a parent or
other adult
Neglect: Withholding
life’s necessities from
a child that is vital to
the child’s safety,
health, or well-being
Sexual Abuse: Sexual
activity where there is
unusual power used
such as age or size,
or misuse of trust
Emotional Abuse:
Denigrating name
calling that harms a
child’s self image
Characteristics of Child Abuse
Child abuse is a cause of stress like other
events in life such as a divorce, loss of a loved
one, or family disruption or problems in school
and can cause the same symptoms.
Reactions to child abuse can be excessive
crying, clinging, aggressive behavior,
withdrawal, or depression.
If any of these symptoms appear over a period
of time, they must be looked into.
Child Abuse
The thought of child abusers as dirty old men or
guys in raincoats are not true.
Ordinary, well-respected people in positions of
authority have been found to be child abusers.
Relatives, public officials, clergy, and teachers—
both male and female—are examples of child
abusers.
A child is more likely to be abused by somebody
he or she knows or by someone in the family
than by a stranger.
Child Abusers
Child abusers tend to be individuals with
low self-esteem. Their own needs are so
overwhelming that they are poorly
equipped to meet the needs of children.
Often abusive parents also abuse alcohol
and drugs.
Abusive parents sometimes have unreal
expectations for their children and malign
them when they fail to meet expectations.
Child Abuse
It is important for you to remember that
any time abuse is suspected, your Scout
Executive or designee must be contacted
immediately.
Date Rape
Date or acquaintance rape is a real
concern for high school youth programs.
More than 50 percent of rape victims are
adolescent females.
Their greatest risk is from social
relationships with a boyfriend or date.
Date rape is a crime and must be dealt
with just like other forms of abuse.
Youth Protection/Creating Barriers
The following policies have been adopted to guard against abuse and
to give protection to the adult leaders:
Two-deep leadership: Two adult leaders—both at
least 21 years of age—are required on all trips
and outings.
If male and female youth are present, 21 year old
leaders of both sexes are required.
There should be no one-on-one contact with
youth except for authorized ride-along programs
in Exploring .
Separate (male/female) adult and youth sleeping
facilities and bathrooms and showers on
overnight activities are required.
Youth Protection/Creating Barriers
Proper preparation, equipment, and safety
procedures on high-adventure activities are
required.
No secret organizations: Parents are always
welcome.
Proper clothing is required according to activities.
Discipline should be constructive; corporal
punishment is never permitted.
Hazing is prohibited.
Youth leadership is monitored, and guidance is
given by adult leaders.
Fraternization Policy
Because high school programs are designed for
young adults, there are often little differences in
the ages of the adult leaders and the
participants.
It has been found that maintaining a close social
relationship, such as dating, between adult
leaders and youth participants is disruptive and,
therefore, is not permitted.
Disclosure
What if someone told you they were molested?
Don’t panic or overreact
to the information just
shared with you.
Don’t criticize the youth
for telling of the abuse.
Don’t promise to keep it a
secret; you are required
to inform your youth
agency staff, who will
advise you on what to do.
Do respect the youth’s
privacy; take him or her to
a place away from others
to discuss the abuse.
Do encourage the youth
to tell the authorities; let
him or her know he or
she is not to blame.
Do keep abuse
confidential; don’t discuss
with other post/group
participants.
Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements are different in each
state; know your state’s reporting requirements.
In some states youth care professionals are
required to report abuse.
No state requires the person making the report
to have proof, but that it be in good faith.
All states provide immunity from liability for those
who report suspected child abuse.
As a volunteer, you are cautioned to refrain from
investigating the abuse but leaving it to the
professionals.
Scout Executive Larry Pritchard
– Office 585-241-8550
– Cell 585-734-5706
– Home 585-388-7494
Director of Field Service
– Office 585-241-8557
Del Newquist
Youth Protection Hotlines
Monroe County Child Abuse/Maltreatment
Hotline
– 585-461-5690
New York State Hotline
– 800-342-3720
Website
– www.DoRightByKids.org
Youth serving agencies will
not tolerate any form of child
abuse in their programs and
will take all necessary steps to
remove offenders from
participation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
David Finkelhor, Ph.D., director
Family Research, University of New Hampshire
Dr. Janet Squires, chairman of general pediatrics
Children’s Medical Center of Dallas
Richard Krugman, M.D., dean
School of Medicine, University of Colorado
Dr. Anthony Urquiza, psychologist
Child Protection Center, University of California
David Chadwick, M.D. (retired)
Center for Child Protection, San Diego Children’s Hospital
Jim Chavis
School social worker, Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Anne Cohn Donnelly, D.P.H.
Senior visiting scholar in nonprofit studies
Youth Protection Training
Certificate
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Protection Training
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