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Youth Protection Policy

Board of Governors Approved May 5, 2018

Purpose

Protects every youth who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, and in some jurisdictions, up to their 19th birthday.[1]

 

Our Commitment

Youth have a right to participate in Scouting free from harassment, bullying, neglect, and abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional).

 

Our Policy

  1. We will create a fun, safe environment for youth by:
    1. Making the health and well-being of youth our first priority
    2. Putting youth safety and well-being front and centre when planning programs and activities
    3. Encouraging everyone to speak up and listen to each other’s ideas
    4. Respecting youth rights, wishes, and feelings as leaders on the Canadian Path
    5. Recognizing that Scouters and other adults in Scouting occupy a unique position of trust
  2. You are required to take immediate action to protect youth if there are any concerns for their safety and welfare.
  3. If you have reason to believe a youth is being abused or neglected, you are required to report to the authorities[2] and to Scouts Canada.[3] You may have additional protection and reporting obligations under provincial, territorial, and federal law.[4]

[1] Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal.
[2] Provincial reporting contacts
[3] Scouts Canada Youth Safety Reporting 
[4] Link to information about provincial, territorial and federal youth protection law

Uncontrolled When Printed: When printed, document cannot be guaranteed to have the current information and should be used with caution. This document is marked “uncontrolled” and the user is responsible for determining if the current version is active. To find the most updated version, please refer to Scouts Canada BP&P on Scouts.ca.