Scouts Emphasize Youth Protection Year-round
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

([ Portland], [Or], [03/30/04])—April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse is a matter of great concern for parents and youth mentors throughout the country, and many are shocked by the magnitude of this disturbing problem. The Boy Scouts of America shares this concern and, since 1988, has provided adult and youth training year-round.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Cascade Pacific Council of the Boy Scouts of America will make youth protection training available for 51,112 youth and adults. The council has also set up an on-line youth protection training course which community members and members of other youth-serving organizations are invited to utilize. This on-line offering found at www.cpcbsa.org/training, shares basic guidelines for protecting youth from abuse.

“The Boy Scouts of America advocates parents becoming actively involved with their children,” said Ron Garland, Scout Executive for the Cascade Pacific Council. “Scouting stresses the importance of parents having ongoing communication with their children. It is critical for parents to talk to their kids every day and take time to listen and observe. It may be the most important contribution parents can make in the life of a child.”

The BSA uses a variety of tools, including videotapes, to communicate with young people about protecting themselves against all forms of abuse. The BSA’s award-winning videos of child abuse prevention help youth recognize dangerous situations and avoid becoming victims.

The video “It Happened to Me” is designed for Cub Scouts, boys ages 6 to 10, to view with their parents or guardians. The video presents five scenarios of high-risk situations that boys may encounter. It establishes safety rules that help the boys counteract the fear and shame that can result from potentially abusive situations.

“A Time to Tell” is designed for Boy Scouts, boys ages 11 to 14. This video depicts the risks of sexual abuse through dramatizations of adolescent experiences.

A third video, “Youth Protection: Personal Safety Awareness,” is designed for any young adult (boy or girl) ages 14 to 20. It is made up of vignettes dealing with the issues of acquaintance rape, Internet safety, stalking, and fraternization. Each scenario is followed by instructions for local group discussions and a teen panel discussion, with pertinent advice regarding each situation.