Yours in Scouting Campaign: Improving Safeguarding within the Scouts

We were recently contacted by Yours in Scouting in relation to their campaign to improve the safeguarding structure of the Scout Association in order to provide greater protection for its members.

As a team that specialises in representing survivors and victims of abuse, we always welcome any measures that could lead to improved safeguarding and prevention of abuse.

Part of the campaign is focused on gathering together victims’ and survivors’ experiences of abuse within the Scout Association to use this information to improve the Scouts’ awareness of the problems that their members have encountered. The greater their awareness, the more that can be learned and the better the problem can be addressed.

Over the years we have successfully represented victims and survivors of abuse on claims that relate to abuse within the Scouts. According to research carried out by the BBC, claims against the Scouts that relate to abuse have run to many millions of pounds over the past ten years. While many of these claims relate to abuse that happened many years ago, they also include incidents of abuse that took place more recently, and there continue to be concerns over the safeguarding policy and structure that the Scouts have in place. Any move that leads to improved safeguarding is a step in the right direction.

It's important for all organisations to learn and change from past events which can have such a huge impact on people’s life. Making sure that young and vulnerable people are protected is key and anything we will do anything we can do to help this

How can you get involved in the Yours in Scouting campaign?

We are happy to endorse Yours in Scouting’s campaign. If you wish to support the campaign by sharing your story with them, signing their petition or making a donation you can visit their website here: About Us - Yours In Scouting.