The Scout Association has announced that it will be revamping its safeguarding protocols in response to a campaign by abuse survivors. A new independent panel made up of abuse survivors will be responsible for ensuring that victims receive the appropriate support and counselling, whilst a new inspection team will work on assessing whether local Scout groups are complying with national protocols. The Scout Association has reported that from 2024, there will be a fee increase of £2 per member which will raise a total of £1 for their safeguarding measures. While these changes are still subject to review and consultation, over 70 Scout abuse victims have already contacted the group, Yours in Scouting.
Sheanna Patelmaster and Lucy Pincott, who established Yours in Scouting, had been abused when they joined the Scouts in 2007. The women have formalized a campaign to modify the organisation after they were sexually assaulted and groomed by their leaders. The Scout Association hopes that with these new changes, they will reduce the likelihood of abuse among young people who want to participate in the Scouts. The association has added that the safety of its young participants is their top priority, which is why they are making these changes to ensure that construction and execution of national policies are up to par.
In the last decade, the Scout Association has paid over £6 million in compensation to Scouts who have been sexually abused. Child abuse attorneys claim that they have taken on over 260 cases during that span, with 166 cases in which victims have been given compensation. The association revealed that some of these cases were historical and has apologised to anyone who has suffered from abuse. The Scout Association is also advising anyone who has been adversely affected by these incidents to contact them or report to the police.
The Scout Association firmly believes that by working with survivors and reforming its policies, they can prevent others from experiencing similar harm. They pledged to make these changes to better support survivors and protect young people who are involved in Scouting. The fee increase would provide half of the funds necessary to finance this initiative
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