Avoiding Abuse in Scouting Brochure1.7

AvoidingAbuseinScouting

Introduction:

BeinganadultleaderinScouts Australia(NSW)isaprivilege.Theexcellenceoftheprogramand thesafetyofouryouth memberscallsforahighstandardinadultleadership.Wetake prideinthe qualityofouradultleadership.

Anumberofpolicieshavebeeninstitutedwhichareaimedateliminatingopportunitiesforabuse withintheScoutingprogram.Thesepoliciesfocusonleadershipselectionandonplacingbarriersto potentialabusewithintheprogram.

LeaderGuide:

ScoutsAustralia(NSW)hasadoptedthefollowingpoliciestoprovideadditional securityforour members. Thesepoliciesareprimarilyfortheprotection ofouryouthmembers; however,theyalso servetoprotectouradultleadersfromfalseaccusationsofabuse.

oTwo-deepleadership.TwoLeadersoroneLeaderandaparentofaparticipant,oneof whommustbe21yearsofageorolder,arerequired onalltripsandoutingswhereadult leadership isinvolved. Thereareafewinstances, suchaspatrolactivities,whennoadult leadershipisrequired

oOnalltripsandoutingsundertheleadershipofayouthmember,suchasaPatrolCamp, theyouthmember’sLeadershallensuretheyoungleaderunderstands thesafetyissues involvedandtogethertheyhavediscussed anumberofpossiblescenarios andsuitable actions.

oNoone-on-onecontact.One-on-onecontactbetweenadultsandyouthmembersisnot permitted.Insituations thatrequirepersonaldealings, suchcontactistobeconducted in viewofotheradultsandyouths.

oRespectofprivacy.Adultleadersmustrespecttheprivacyofyouthmembersinsituations suchaschanging clothesandtakingshowersatcamp,andintrudeonlytotheextentthat healthandsafetyrequire.Adultsmustprotecttheirownprivacyin similarsituations.

oSeparateaccommodation. Whencamping,noyouthispermittedtosleepinthetentofan adult other than his own parent or carer. Groups are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available,separatetimesformaleandfemaleuseshouldbescheduled.Anoticeshowing timesshouldbeclearlyvisible.

oProperpreparationforhigh-adventureactivities.Activitieswithelementsofriskshould neverbeundertakenwithoutproperpreparation, equipment,clothing,supervision, safety measuresandensuringthatScoutsAustralia(NSW)policiesareadheredto.

oAllaspectsoftheScoutingprogramareopentoobservationbyparents/carersand leaders.

oAppropriateattire.Properclothingforactivitiesisrequired.Forexample,skinny-dippingis notappropriateaspartof Scouting.

oConstructivediscipline.DisciplineusedinScoutingshouldbeconstructiveandreflect

Scouting'svalues.Corporalpunishmentisnotpermitted.

oHazingandinitiationsareprohibitedandmaynotbeincludedaspartofanyScouting activity.

oYouthmembersinleadershipandsupervision.Adultleadersmustmonitorandguidethe leadershiptechniquesusedbyPatrolLeadersandotheryouthmemberstoensurethat ScoutsAustralia(NSW)policiesarefollowed.

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Why do most child victims of sexual abuse keep the abusesecret?

Avictimofchildsexual abuseisusuallyunderagreatdealof pressure tokeeptheabuse secret.Inmanycasesofchild molestation,themolesterhasthreatenedtoharmthechildor a member ofthechild'sfamily.Themolester mighthavetoldthe childthathewouldnotbebelievedevenifthechilddidtell. Anothercommon situation isthatthemolesterwilltellthechild that ifthechild tellsabouttheabuse,hewill getinto trouble.The clearmessage isgiventothechildthatifanotherpersonfinds out,somethingbadwillhappentothechild.Thispressure to maintainsilencecanoftenbesuccessfully overcomeby establishingopencommunicationbetweenchildrenandadults throughapropereducationalprogramforchildren.

Whatshould Idoifachildtells methey havebeensexually abused?

Howanadultrespondstoachildwhentheytrytodisclose abusecaninfluencetheoutcomeofthechild'svictimisation.By maintaining anapparentcalm,theadultcanhelpreassurethe childthateverything isgoingtobeokay.Bynotcriticisingthe child,wecounteractanystatements themolestermadetothe victimaboutthechildgettingintotrouble.Reassurethechild thatyouareconcerned aboutwhathappened tothemandthat youwouldliketogetthemsomehelp.

ReportChildProtectionConcernsand Abuse!

ScoutsNSWworkswithNSWPolice,NSWCommunityServices (formerly DoCS),theNSWCommission forChildrenandYoung People,andotherrelevantauthorities toaddressanychild protectionconcerns.

All suspicions,concernsorallegationsaboutcriminalmattersor childprotection mattersshouldbe reporteddirectlytotheChief Commissioner, theChiefExecutiveortheChildProtection OfficeratStateOfficeon9735 9000. Oncewereceivea notification,theAssociationwillmakeanimmediatereportto the relevantauthorities.

Ifanindividual hasmadeareport toNSWPolice,NSW Community Services, oranother relevantauthority, theyshould alsoreportthemattertotheChiefCommissioner, theChief ExecutiveortheChildProtectionOfficer.TheAssociationwill thenmake directcontact withtherelevantauthority about the matter.

ReportingtotheAssociationenablestheAssociationtowork directlywiththeauthorities inmanagingthematter.Itenables theAssociationtotakeimmediate actionunderitsBehavioural ManagementPolicy,in consultationwith theauthorities.

ImminentDanger

Ifayoungpersonisinimminentdanger, thematter shouldbe reporteddirectlyand immediatelyto NSW Policeon131 444.

Whatarethe"threeRs"of YouthProtection?

The"threeRs"ofYouthProtectionconveyasimplemessage that Scouts Australia (NSW) wants its youth members to learn:

Recognise situations thatplacethematriskofbeing molested, howchildmolestersoperate,andthat anyonecouldbeamolester.

Resistunwantedandinappropriate attention. Resistancewillstopmostattemptsatmolestation.

Reportattemptedoractualmolestationtoaparent orothertrusted adult.Thisprevents furtherabuseof themandhelpstoprotectotherchildren. Letthe Scouting youth member know they will not be blamedforwhatoccurred.

YouthMemberBehaviourGuidelines:

TheScoutAssociationis valuesbasedyouthdevelopment organisationthathelpsyoungpeoplelearnpositive

attributesofcharacter,citizenship,andpersonalfitness.The ScoutAssociationhastheexpectationthatallparticipantsin theScoutingprogramwillrelatetoeachotherinaccordwith

theprinciplesembodiedinthe ScoutPromiseandLaw.

Oneofthedevelopmentaltasksofchildhoodistolearn appropriatebehaviour.Childrenarenotbornwithaninnate senseofproprietyandtheyneedguidanceanddirection.The examplesetbypositiveadultrolemodelsisapowerfultoolfor shapingbehaviourandatoolthat isstressedinScouting.

Misbehaviourbyasingleyouthmemberin Scoutingmay constituteathreattothesafetyoftheindividualwho misbehavesas wellastothesafetyofotherunitmembers. Suchmisbehaviourconstitutesanunreasonableburdenona Scoutunitandcannotbeignored.

MemberResponsibilities:

AllmembersoftheScoutAssociationareexpectedtoconduct themselvesinaccordancewiththeprinciplesset forthinthe ScoutPromiseandLaw. Physicalviolence,hazing,bullying, theft,verbalinsults,drugsandalcoholhavenoplaceinthe Scoutingprogramandmayresultintherevocationofayouth member’smembership.

Ifconfrontedbythreatsofviolenceor otherformsofbullying fromotheryouthmembers,youthmembersshouldseekhelp fromtheirLeadersor parents/ carers.

SectionResponsibilities:

AdultleadersofScoutingSectionsareresponsiblefor monitoringthebehaviourofyouthmembersandinterceding whennecessary.Parents/carersofyouthmemberswho misbehaveshouldbeinformedandaskedforassistancein dealingwiththeissue.

ScoutsAustralia(NSW)doesnot permittheuseofcorporal punishmentor inappropriateverbalassaultbyLeaderswhen discipliningyouthmembers.

TheLeadersandGroupLeadershouldreviewrepetitiveor seriousincidentsofmisbehaviourinconsultationwiththe parents/ carersofthechildtodetermineacourseof correctiveactionincludingpossiblerevocationoftheyouth's membership.

Ifproblembehaviourpersists,Groupsmayrevokeayouth member’smembershipinthatGroup.WhenaGrouprevokes ayouthmember’smembership,itshouldpromptlynotifythe RegionalCommissioneroftheaction.

TheGroupshouldinformStateOfficeaboutallincidentsthat resultinaphysicalinjury.

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LeadershipRequirementsforTripsandOutings:

Two-deepleadership:

TwoLeaders,or oneLeaderandaparentofaparticipating youthmember,oneofwhommustbeatleast21yearsofage or older,arerequiredforalltripsor outings.

Mixedmembershipovernightactivitiesrequiremaleandfemale adultleaders,oneofwhommustbe21yearsofageor older, andoneofwhommustbeaLeader.

Thereareafewinstances,such aswithcertainpatrol,unitand crewactivities,includingthosethatinvolveovernightstays, whennoadultleadershipisrequired.Inthesecasesthere

mustalwaysbeaminimumoffourinthegroup,withatleast twoofthesamesex,andthattheparentsor carerhave signifiedthattheyareawarethattherewillbenoadult

supervision

Two-deepadultleadershipisrequiredforflyingactivities.For basicorientationflights,theadultlicensedpilotincontrolofthe aircraftissufficientfortheflightwhiletwo-deepleadershipis maintainedontheground.

Two-deepadultleadershipisrequiredforwateractivities.For basictraining,theadultinstructorincontrolofthecraftis sufficient,whiletwo-deepleadershipismaintainedonshore.

DuringtransportationtoandfromplannedScoutingactivities,if youcannotprovidetwoadultsforeachvehicle,theminimum requirementisoneadultandtwo or moreyouthmembers- neveroneonone.Acommondeparturepointisrecommended.

Maleandfemale:

Maleandfemaleleadersrequireseparatesleepingfacilities. Couplesinfull timerelationshipsmaysharethesamequarters ifappropriatefacilitiesareavailable.

Wheremaleandfemaleyouthparticipantsaretobeaccommodatedovernight,theyshallnot,inprinciplesharethesamefacilities.Ifthisisnotpossible,suchasinahall,marquee,caveorsimilar communalfacility,thereshouldbeaclearphysicalseparation betweenmalesandfemalesandeachparticipantshouldbe

advisedofthelackofseparatefacilitiespriortocommencement oftheactivity.(Seeappendix‘A’:Anextractfromthe

InformationOrganisationHandbook“)

Whenstayingintents,noyouthwillstayinthetentofanadult otherthanhisor herparentorcarer.Ifseparateshowerand latrinefacilitiesarenotavailable,separatetimesformaleand femaleuseshouldbescheduled.Anoticeshowingthetimes shouldbedisplayed.Thebuddysystemshouldbeusedfor latrinesbyhavingonepersonwaitoutsidetheentrance,or provideOccupiedand Unoccupiedsignsand/orinsidedoor latches.

Adultleadersneedtorespecttheprivacyofyouthmembersin situationswheretheyoutharechangingclothesor taking showers,andintrudeonlytotheextentthathealthandsafety require.Adultsalsoneedtoprotecttheirownprivacyinsimilar situations.

Safetyruleoffour:

Nofewerthanfourindividualsaretogoonanyexpeditionor camp.Ifanaccidentoccurs,onepersonstayswiththe injured,(whichcouldbealeaderalone)andtwogoforhelp. Additionaladultleadershiprequirementsmustreflectan awarenessofsuchfactorsassizeandskilllevelofthegroup, anticipatedenvironmentalconditions,andoveralldegreeof challenge.

Conclusion:

Everydaychildrenandyoungpeoplespendtimewithadultsin avarietyof workplacessuch asschools,childcarecentres, sportingclubsandchurches.Mostoftheseadultsand organisationsdoagreatjob.

However,theseorganisationscanattractpeoplewhopose riskstochildren.Theycanprovideaccessandlegitimate opportunitiesfordevelopingrelationshipsthatexploit children’strustanddependence.Thewayanorganisationis managedcancreateopportunitiesforoffendingtooccur. Conversely,byconductingitsbusinessdifferently,an organisationcanreducerisksignificantly.

Followingthesepolicieswill notonlyprovideadditionalsecurity forouryouthmembers,andservetoprotectouradultleaders fromfalseaccusationsofabuse,butalsoencourageasenseof safetyandsecurityinbothyouthmembersandleadersalike.

ReportChildProtectionConcernsandAbuse!

ScoutsNSWworkswith NSWPolice,NSWCommunity Services(formerlyDoCS),theNSWCommissionforChildren andYoungPeople,andotherrelevantauthoritiestoaddress anychildprotectionconcerns.

Allsuspicions,concernsor allegationsaboutcriminalmattersor childprotectionmattersshouldbe reporteddirectlytotheChief Commissioner,theChief Executiveor theChildProtection Officerat StateOfficeon97359000.Oncewereceivea notification,theAssociationwillmakeanimmediatereportto

therelevantauthorities.

IfanindividualhasmadeareporttoNSWPolice,NSW CommunityServices,or anotherrelevantauthority,theyshould alsoreportthemattertotheChiefCommissioner,theChief Executiveor theChildProtectionOfficer.TheAssociationwill thenmakedirectcontactwiththe relevantauthorityaboutthe matter.

ReportingtotheAssociationenablestheAssociationtowork directlywiththeauthoritiesinmanagingthematter.Itenables theAssociationtotakeimmediateactionunderitsBehavioural ManagementPolicy,inconsultationwiththeauthorities.

ImminentDanger

Ifayoungpersonisinimminentdanger,themattershouldbe reporteddirectlyandimmediatelytoNSWPoliceon131444.

EXCEPTIONSVARIATIONS:Theguidelinescannotbevaried,exceptbytheRegionalCommissioner,orChiefCommissioner.Approval willonlybegivenafter,theyhaveconducteda‘riskassessment’and,ifapproved,authorisedthenecessaryadditionstobemadetothe relevantindemnity/permissionform. Thiswillallowguardians/parentstobemorefullyinformed ofthedetails,andawarethattheactivitywill beoutsideourusualguidelines,priortotheirsigningtherelevantpermissionform.

AvoidingAbuseinScouting

APPENDIX.A

(ExtractfromInformationOrganisationHandbook“ActivityAccommodationPolicy”(page1))

ACTIVITYACCOMMODATIONPOLICY

1.MIXEDGENDERACCOMMODATION

1.1 Where a Scouting activity requires both males and females to be accommodated overnight,malesandfemalesshallnot,inprinciplesharethesamefacilities.

1.2 Circumstances may arise in which separate accommodation for males and females cannot beprovided.Insuchcasestheactivityleadershould advise eachparticipantofthe lackofseparatefacilitiespriortocommencementoftheactivity.

1.3 Irrespectiveofthecircumstances,thereshouldbeaclearphysicalseparationbetween malesandfemales.

2.ADULT/YOUTHMEMBERACTIVITYACCOMMODATION

2.1Separateaccommodationmustbeprovidedforyouthandadultmembersonovernight

Scoutingactivities,exceptinthe circumstanceslistedin2.2below:

2.2Anexceptiontothegeneralrequirementforseparateaccommodationmaybemadeinthe followingcircumstances:

a)CubScoutaccommodationinhalls,wherethepresenceofoneor moreleaders maybedesirablefordiscipline/security.

b)Accommodationofthepack/troop/unitetc.inahall,marquee,cave or similar communalfacility.

c)Accommodationsharedbymembersofthesamefamily.

In thesesituationsthereshouldalwaysbeaclearphysicalseparation betweenadultand youthmembers.Wheneverpossibleaphysicaldivision (e.g.screen)shouldbeprovided.

2.3Inemergencysituations(e.g.hypothermia)treatmentbydirectbodycontactshould beprovidedtoyouthmembersby youthmembersratherthanbyadultmembers.

2.4Undernocircumstancesshouldanadultmemberevershareaccommodationwithone youthmemberonly.Shouldthissituationarise,foranyreason,areportoutliningthe circumstancesshouldbeprovidedtotheresponsibleCommissionerattheearliest opportunity.

Scouts Australia NSW acknowledges the contribution of Dr Warwick Bateman AM in the development of this Leader Support Guide.