April Is Youth Protection Month

Nationwide, April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and for the fifth consecutive year, the BSA has designated April as Youth Protection Month for councils, units, families, and community organizations.

Local councils will conduct youth protection training for 4.4 million youth and adults. Many councils will also provide this training, through BSA videos, books, and an Internet course, as a community service to other youth-serving agencies.

Since 1988, the BSA has provided adult and youth training that addresses the problem of child abuse and, at the same time, helps Scouting continue to provide a safe environment and meet high standards of leadership for our youth members.

"The Boy Scouts of America advocates parents becoming actively involved with their children," said Roy L. Williams, BSA Chief Scout Executive. "Scouting stresses the importance of parents having ongoing communication with their children. I know that this may be difficult, especially for working parents and parents with adolescents, but it is worthwhile to talk to your children every day and take time to listen and observe. It may be the most important contribution you make in the life of your child."

During Youth Protection Month, each unit is encouraged to participate in one or more of the following ways:

  • Ensure that unit adult leaders take the Web-based Youth Protection training (check with council for availability).
  • Discuss with youth in a unit meeting the exercises in How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse (the pullout pamphlet in the front of youth and adult handbooks).
  • Present the age-appropriate, award-winning BSA video-based training (with the meeting guides) to youth and parents: "It Happened to Me" (BSA No. AV-09V011) for Cub Scouts; "A Time to Tell" (AV-09V004) for Boy Scouts; "Youth Protection: Personal Safety Awareness" (No. AV-09V027) for young adults (boy or girl, ages 14 to 20).
  • In Cub Scout packs, distribute and discuss the Power Pack Pals comic books, which focus on bullying and Internet safety.

BSA resources have been widely used—inside and outside Scouting. To obtain copies, contact your local Scout council service center.


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