Keeping Scouts safe through mandatory training
Over the past two years, Scouting has worked with experts in the field of child abuse, sexual abuse and maltreatment to develop new training and resources that will further strengthen our ability to protect Scouting youth.
These changes include:
- Fully updated and revised Youth Protection Training (YPT) developed with leaders in the field of child abuse prevention. It includes insights from experts and survivors and the latest strategies for recognizing and preventing major forms of abuse. This is the designated Youth Protection Training for all adults.
- Expanded youth protection content across all our communications channels to inform and engage our volunteers and parents.
- An expanded ScoutsFirst Helpline to aid volunteers and families in addressing potentially dangerous situations.
- BSA also provides unlimited counseling and support for healing to anyone who has ever been abused in Scouting.
- “Protect Yourself” training for youth members.
The Boy Scouts of America’s updated Youth Protection Training is mandatory for all registered adult leaders in all BSA programs. All adults and parents participating in Scouting are strongly encouraged to enroll in this 90-minute online training.
The mandatory training modules include the following:
- Overview and policies
- Sexual abuse
- Bullying
- Test
The prior version of BSA’s youth protection training will no longer be available. The updated training replaces other youth protection trainings and is required for all BSA programs. Go to my.scouting.org to take the training.
What do I do if I suspect abuse?
Know the facts about keeping Scouts safe
The safety and protection of children is the most important priority of the Boy Scouts of America.
Today, the BSA has a multi-layered process of safeguards that serve as barriers to abuse, including:
Criminal background checks for all volunteers.
Mandatory ongoing Youth Protection Training for all volunteers, along with educational materials for parents and Scouts.
A prohibition on one-on-one contact between adults and youth – either in person, online or via text.
Utilization of the Volunteer Screening Database, a tool recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all youth-serving organizations, which prevents individuals who were removed from Scouting from re-registering.
Prompt mandatory reporting to law enforcement of any allegation or suspicion of abuse.