1. In order to fully protect our youth members the associations Child Protection Policy will be followed to the letter.
2. No prospective adult member will take part in any Group or Section meeting or activity until they have completely finished the application process, and the application is approved
3. The complete application process, within the CISA, is as follows:
a) A prospective new adult leader will be handed a form for a Police Record Check (PRC);
b) The PRC is to be completed by the local Police Detachment. No other forms will be handed out until the PRC has been completed and returned to the Group Scouter (GSM);
c) Upon obtaining and submitting a clean and acceptable PRC, the new prospective adult leader will be given a copy of the ‘Application for Adult Membership’ form. This form will be completed giving FOUR personal references. It will then be given to the GSM;
d) The GSM or District Commissioner (DC) contact the four personal references and complete the reference check form. If the references are satisfactory a personal interview will be conducted by both the GSM and the DC;
e) The completed PRC is forwarded, along with a copy of the membership application form, to the Association Secretary; and
f) Upon successful completion of the above procedures, a new prospective adult leader will undergo a four-month probationary period. During this period the new leader shall not be left to work alone with any child (18years and younger), and shall work with children only under the direct supervision of an invested adult. At the end of the four-month probationary period, if the GSM is satisfied, the new leader may be invested. If the GSM has any doubts at all about the suitability of the new leader this concern must be raised with the District Commissioner. The DC will then decide the proper course of action to be taken.
4. Failure or refusal to complete a PRC, or negative comments from a personal reference, will make any volunteer’s application completely unacceptable.
5. This enrolment procedure is designed to protect the children from predators and paedophile’s, and to provide a safe and healthy environment for children to participate in.
6. All checks are to be handled with total confidentially. The above procedure is to be followed to the letter, no exceptions are allowed.
7. Each adult leader will familiarise themselves with the Associations Code of Ethics.
CHILD PROTECTION
8. The major responsibility of adults in the CISA is the safety and progress of our youth members. We have a responsibility to ensure that only suitable adults are recruited.
9. Our Code of Ethics requires our association to provide a safe environment in which our youth members feel respected and protected.
10. Adults interacting with young people in Scouting should do so with integrity and respect for the young person. There is a danger that some Scouting contexts can be used to exploit or undermine young people. All adult actions should be guided by what is best for the young person and in the context of quality, open working relationships. Verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse of any kind is totally unacceptable.
DISCIPLINE
11. Infrequently, there may be a necessity for appropriate disciplinary measures. CISA encourages positive reinforcement to correct unsuitable behaviour.
The following examples are inappropriate discipline methods:
· Physical blows or force.
· Confinement.
· Emotional abuse.
· Humiliation.
· Any other form of abuse.
PHYSICAL CONTACT
12. When dealing with young people, there is acceptable touching and unacceptable touching. A handshake is acceptable; a hug is sometimes acceptable; and an embrace is usually unacceptable. Touching which gives offence or causes any discomfort in not acceptable.
RELATIONSHIPS
13. The correct relationship between an adult and a youth member is that of the adult being an instructor, leader, detached friend and guardian. It is a position of integrity, trust and maturity.
LANGUAGE
14. The Code of Ethics requires that we do not use vulgar or inappropriate language when working with youth members.
DISCRIMINATION
15. The CISA welcomes people as members regardless of gender, race, culture, religious belief, sexual orientation, or economic circumstances. Discrimination of any sort is unacceptable.
HARASSMENT
16. Harassment breaks down the positive and protective environment we seek to develop. Harassment is emotionally harmful, and goes against all Scouting principles. Sexual harassment is any verbal or physical behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwelcome and offensive.
PRIVACY
17. An individual’s right to privacy must be recognised and taken into consideration in such matters as sleeping places and toilet facilities. Adult members should have separate sleeping quarters from the youth members.
ALCOHOL POLICY
18. No adult member or adult helper shall consume alcohol or any other mood altering substance prior to, or during, any Scouting activity, whether youth are present or not.
SMOKING
19. No adult member or adult helper shall smoke during, any Scouting activity.
GENERAL DUTY
20. Every adult member’s responsibility goes beyond the confines of his or her specific appointment to their own youth. Adults are expected to intervene when they identify breaches of any part of this Policy.
CHILD ABUSE
21. There are certain signs which Leaders should be aware of, which might indicate that a young person has suffered from abuse or trauma. It is important to note, however, that all of these indicators can occur in other situations where abuse has not been a factor and that the list which follows is not exhaustive.
· Acting-out, aggressive behaviour
· Lack of trust
· Overly compliant behaviour
· Regressive behaviour
· Lack of friends
· Excessive attachment to adults
· Unusual reluctance to join in normal activities involving the removal of clothing
· Reluctance to go home or to interact with a particular individual or group
· Depressed appearance
· Change in attendance pattern / unexpected dropout
· Change in the characteristic way of behaving
· Signs of familial discord
· There are a number of different types of abuse and these include physical abuse; neglect; psychological / emotional abuse; sexual abuse.
PHYSICAL ABUSE
22. Physical abuse of a young person involves the intentional non-accidental use of force on the part of the person interacting with a young person in his / her care aimed at hurting or injuring the young person, or knowingly not preventing such injury.
Signs of Physical Abuse:
· Unexplained bruising in soft tissue areas
· Repeated injury
· Black eye/s
· Injuries to the mouth
· Torn or bloodstained clothing
· Burns and scalds
· Bites
· Fractures
· Marks from implements
· Inconsistent stories / excuses relating to injuries
· Behavioural signs
NEGLECT
23. Passive abuse or neglect involves the persistent or severe neglect of a young person, whether wilful or unintentional, which results in serious psychological impairment of the young person's health, development or welfare.
Signs of neglect:
· Nutritional deprivation
· Persistently dirty / smelly clothing or appearance
· Inadequate clothing
· Non-healing of injuries / ailments
· Signs of parental neglect
· Behavioural signs
PSYCHOLOGICAL / EMOTIONAL ABUSE
24. Emotional abuse occurs when an individual suffers harm as a result of being intimidated, emotionally exploited, exposed to constant denigration, ridicule, rejection or verbal attack for their supposed shortcomings. This is the least recognised form of harm done to children, yet the long-term psychological consequences may be more traumatic than in the case of simple physical injury.
Signs of Psychological / Emotional Abuse:
· These are largely behavioural
SEXUAL ABUSE
25. Sexual abuse is the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate the social taboos of family or carer or which are against the law. This involves the use of young people by others for sexual gratification and self power and includes many forms, from e.g. talking in a sexual way, exposure, touching etc., to full sexual intercourse.
26. Sexual activities are abuse if one person with greater power whether due to age, physique, status, understanding or knowledge takes advantage of the vulnerability, fears, weaknesses, lack of understanding, helplessness or need of another person.
27. Abuse is also present if mutual consent is absent. For consent to be present, it must be "informed" and it must be freely given. Young people cannot know the dangers and risks, whether emotional or physical, of engaging in sexual relationships where they are the vulnerable partner. In these circumstances they cannot give informed consent. Sexual abuse can involve older children abusing younger children if the above criteria exist. These cases must also be dealt with according to the Provincial Department of Social Services.
Signs of Sexual Abuse:
· Hints about sexual activity / abuse
· Age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behaviour (especially by young children)
· Inappropriate sexual play with other children or toys
· Preoccupation with touching sexual parts of the body
· Bloodstained underclothing
· Reluctance to remove clothing
· Excessive fear or dislike of adults / older children
· Unexpected change in the child's attitude towards Scout activities
· Other behavioural signs
REPORTING PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE
28. It is important to remember that when one is reporting suspected child abuse in good faith it is not the same as making an accusation of abuse i.e. reporting does not mean accusing.
REPORTING PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE
29. Responsibility for investigation of child abuse cases, suspected or otherwise, lies with the Child Welfare Services and the Police. Responsibility for monitoring and co-ordinating the management of such cases rests with the Child Welfare Services. It is not appropriate for individuals, Groups or Districts etc., to carry out internal investigations into cases where child abuse is suspected.
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING PROCEDURE WITHIN A SCOUTING CONTEXT
30. Any person who knows or suspects that a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm has a legal duty to convey his / her concern to the local Child Welfare Authorities & Police immediately.
31. Once the authorities have been notified, the GSM and DC should be notified and made aware of the situation.
32. When matters regarding the safety of other children arise in a Scouting context it will be necessary for the GSM / District Commissioner to be informed of the allegations made so that suspension of the Leader or Helper from activities which involve young people may be carried out until the conclusion of an investigation by the Legal Authorities. It is important to record carefully all concerns and allegations made.
CONFIDENTIALITY
33. Confidentiality must be maintained in respect of all issues and people involved in concerns about abuse. A guarantee cannot be given to a person providing information relating to concerns about or knowledge of abuse that the information received will be kept absolutely confidential. However, all information should be treated in a careful and sensitive manner and should be discussed only with those who have a need to know.