Talking with youth about personal safety is important. BSA requires discussion of personal safety throughout it’s programs. We don’t want to scare youth, but they should know what to do if they feel uncomfortable in a situation. The Three R’s of personal safety should be a part of that discussion. (See below.)
Parents are required to discuss personal safety with their children as part of the requirements for the Bobcat badge, the Webelos badge, and the Scout badge.
And for Second Class requirement 9, Scouts must explain the three R’s of personal safety. This is requirement does not have to be done with a parent. In fact, as a Second Class requirement, an appropriate setting would be to discuss this within a patrol with a Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, or other youth leader guiding the discussion.
More information about Youth Protection can be found on the BSA website.
The Three R’s of Personal Safety and Protection
- Recognize situations that place you at risk of being situations that place you at risk of being molested, how child molesters operate, and that anyone could be a molester.
- Resist unwanted and inappropriate attention. Resistance will stop most attempts at molestation.
- Report attempted or actual molestation to a parent or attempted or actual molestation to a parent or other trusted adult. This prevents further abuse and helps to protect other children. Let the child know he or she will not be blamed for what occurred.
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