Scouting Teaches Boys to Avoid Sexual Abuse (From Child Abuse: Opposing Viewpoints, P 135-141, 1994, David Bender and Bruno Leone, eds. -- See NCJ-159823)

• NCJ Number: 159839
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Boy Scouts of America
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Opposing Viewpoints Series

Annotation

The Boy Scouts organization has always focused on teaching boys how to handle themselves in any situation, and this focus includes teaching them how to avoid sexual abuse and what to do if they are abused.

Abstract

The Boy Scouts sex abuse education program includes a video, discussions, a new section on child abuse, and a special tearout section for parents. Participating in discussion exercises contained in the parent guide is now a requirement for becoming a Boy Scout. The Boy Scouts organization emphasizes three key aspects of child protection: (1) the child needs to be able to recognize situations in which he may be at risk of abuse; (2) the child needs to be able to assert his right to resist the abuser; and (3) the child needs to be able to tell an adult when he has encountered abuse. The Boy Scouts organization emphasizes helping parents deal with situations that arise when their child discloses abuse, teaching children how to be assertive, encouraging open parent-child communication, and following basic safety rules for children.