Safe from Harm
Aim of the course Video with Marie Reinicke Dear Scout friends Welcome to the World Scout Jamboree and welcome to Sweden. My name is Marie Reinicke and I’m the chairman of the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in 2011. My mission is to lead and support the whole Planning Team so that we together can create a fantastic Jamboree that gives Scouts from all over the world amazing experiences and memories for life. You and I share the responsibility to create a Jamboree were the participants can enjoy in a safe and respectful environment. Our vision is to have a Jamboree without any abuse or any harassment against or between youth or adults. As part of the preparations to create this environment we want all ISTs, all Planning Team members, all Contingent Management Teams and all leaders within the contingents to take this course Safe from Harm. By being prepared and having thought trough different situations that may arise we can prevent abuse and we are able to act in a good way if something happens. Our goal is that all leaders and all staff members will know how to react if they come across any abuse or any tendencies of abuse at the Jamboree. I have taken a similar course before our National Jamboree in 2007 and that gave me important knowledge in the preparations for the camp but also for other Scout activities and in my civilian life. So, get ready and good luck with the course. I’m really looking forward to see you in Sweden in 2011. Take care and bye bye!
Aim of the course Our vision is to have a World Scout Jamboree free from abuse or harassment of or between young people and adults. The goal is that every leader and member of the International Service Team (IST) will know how to react if they come across abuse or tendencies of abuse. Protection of young people is the responsibility of each and every adult at the Jamboree. All adults have to be aware that abuse can take place, be able to recognize it and to take appropriate action. This is an absolute priority for both WOSM (World Organization of the Scout movement) and WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts).
Objectives of the course With experience from previous World Scout Jamborees we know that preparing adults properly for their role is crucial in keeping young people safe. Every country has its own definition of what constitutes abuse and what is appropriate behaviour. Some of you have been working with these kinds of questions before, some have not. Swedish Scouts have worked with child protection and arranged courses since 2006. It has been a way to support leaders with their local Scouting. In this training we put the protection of young people in a Jamboree context. This is another aspect of Simply Scouting - to create a safe environment for everyone.
More in the course The modules will equip you with skills and knowledge on handling various situations at the Jamboree, where you can act to prevent and/or report abuse. During the Jamboree it will be the rules and regulations defined by the Jamboree organisation and Swedish law that apply. These are presented in this course. This course will deal with some cultural aspects and you will also learn something about Sweden and Swedish people. The next module will describe the course in more detail. • •
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By learning more about abuse, you will be able to act in a safe and secure way. You will be able to work preventively both when planning and participating in the Jamboree, You will also know how to act if something happens.
How does it work? The course will take about an hour and a half for you to complete. But you may complete the modules at your own pace. You may work with one or more modules each session and return to them as many times as you please. You will be able see when you return what you completed last time. For the sake of learning it is good to complete the course within two weeks. A web based course demands an extra effort from the person taking it. There is no tutor who guides you through the course, so it takes self-discipline and it is up to you to motivate yourself. If you have any questions please send an e-mail to info@worldscoutjamboree.se
About the course About the course This course is an important part of our preparations in order for us to create a great Jamboree for everyone; participants, leaders, IST members and others. It is available in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish. When you have completed the course and passed the test you will receive a certificate. You will be asked to print the certificate yourself. It will also show in your personal registration file for the Jamboree when you have completed the course. Everyone is urged to complete the course before arriving at the Jamboree.
IST member If you are an IST member, the course is mandatory and part of the IST Experience. You will also have an opportunity to discuss this in your patrol at the Jamboree.
Unit leader or Contingent Management Team If you are Unit leader or Contingent Management Team, this is one of your tools when preparing the contingent prior to the Jamboree. Everyone at the Jamboree should feel safe and secure.
Planning team This course is mandatory for members of the Planning team. It is important that you take these questions into consideration while making preparations.
Modules and content The course consists of 10 modules. You do the modules in the order of your choice. On the left –hand side is a menu. The modules normally start with some kind of introduction for example a short interview. Some modules contain information, some have situations where you have to reflect on your reaction in such a situation. In all modules there are some exercises. Once you have completed the modules you can take the test. To obtain a certificate you need to pass the test. You have to answer at least 75% of the questions correctly for a pass. Now it’s time to start! Please move on and choose a module from the menu. Good luck!
What is abuse From the Jamboree Magazine Reporter: Dayana, you did something really good two days ago when a Scout came to you during programme time. Can you please describe what happened. Dayana: Well, a Scout came up to me and described how he had been hit hard by some other Scouts and that he couldn’t tell his leader about this. I talked to him, took his name, contingent and Subcamp and we went to a Strolling Steward and asked her for help since the situation was quite bad. Reporter: How did you know what to do? Dayana: He was very upset and I thought I saw bruises. I did the Safe from Harm training before I came here and I have also done some training in this at home as well. So, I knew pretty well what to do, and the Action Card was a check list for me as well. Reporter: Well thank you both for what you did and for this interview. Dayana: Well, this is something anyone can do with some preparations but thank you.
Child protection You might ask why we need to address the issue of abuse in Scouts. By addressing this we can protect the children and youth taking part in our activities as well as ourselves. Good practice protecting young people means ensuring that every one working with children and youth is aware of potential signs of abuse. The term child abuse is used to describe a range of ways in which people harm children and youth. We address child protection in this course even if the right of not being abused is the right of both adults and children. We are talking about the basic human right of not being subjected to abuse. Needless to say, Human Rights are non-negotiable. Child Protection is not only the responsibility of each and every leader to look after a child properly, respecting him or her. It is also each and every adult’s responsibility to be aware of the potential for abuse, be able to recognize it and take responsible action. From Child Protection Tool Kit, Europe WOSM and WAGGGS
Convention on the Rights of the Child Young people are more vulnerable as they do not have the same experience to be able to identify what is right or wrong and to act or react accordingly. We have to make sure that
their rights are secured during their development. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the foundation. The 54 articles of the CRC state that all children have the same right of having their needs met, regardless of where they live. All people under the age of 18 are considered to be children, according to article no. 1. Article no. 19 states that children have the right to protection from all forms of violence. They must be kept safe from harm and receive proper care.
WOSM and WAGGGS The work to increase knowledge and prevention of child abuse is important in both WOSM and WAGGGS. At the World Scout Conference, WOSM, in 2002 a resolution on Keeping Scouts Safe from Harm was approved. National organisations and regions are encouraged to work with these issues. You can read the resolution here. A joint project in Europe between WAGGGS and WOSM has developed a ”Child Protection Tool Kit”. This is a good tool when working locally with policies and routines. You can download the kit here.
What is abuse? Abuse can take the form of: - Bullying - Physical abuse - Emotional abuse - Neglect - Sexual abuse
It is important to note that: Young people can suffer from one or a combination of these forms of abuse. Abuse can take place at home, at school or anywhere they spend their time. In almost all cases, the abuser is someone the young person knows such as a parent, teacher, relative, leader or friend.
Definition of abuse There is no exact definition of what constitutes abuse. In this course we use the definitions used in the Child Protection Tool Kit, a joint WAGGGS and WOSM material from Europe, but also the Swedish definition since the Jamboree will take place in Sweden. These definitions of abuse only give a brief introduction. If you suspect that a young person is being abused, you do not need to categorise. You just need to react and act. Leave the rest to the people at the Jamboree who have a specific responsibility to deal with these issues.
Bullying Bullying is when deliberate negative actions or behaviour towards a person is repeated over a period of time.
Some examples are: Name calling or teasing Boasting about money or possessions Forcing people to do demeaning things Deliberately ignoring particular people Bullying often describes a form of harassment committed by an abuser who is in a physically or socially superior power position. When bullying is allowed to continue for a period of time it can become difficult to stop. To an outsider bullying can often be invisible or look like playing.
Physical abuse Physical abuse is deliberately causing physical injuries to a young person. It is also if you are not preventing physical abuse that you know is taking place. Examples include hitting, shaking, pushing, pinching, burning or biting. Other examples are e.g. giving a child or young person poisonous substances, inappropriate drugs or alcohol, or attempting to suffocate or drown a child or young person. In Sweden physical punishment, beating, of children is banned. This law is also applied at the World Scout Jamboree.
Emotional abuse and Neglect Emotional abuse is when someone through actions, words or behaviour harms a young
person’s emotional state and damages his/her self esteem. When adults are constantly threatening, angry, sarcastic or critical they can make children and youth feel uncared about. Emotional abuse usually occurs when one person wants power and control over another person. This can affect people of any age or gender. Neglect occurs when an adult who has agreed to take care of a young person fails to meet the child’s essential needs. This includes things such as failure to provide adequate food, safe living conditions, education and medical care. Leaving children who are too young to look after themselves alone or without proper supervision is also an example of neglect. Living at the Jamboree and camping in Sweden will be a very different environment for many Scouts. Leaders therefore need to be aware of the support Scouts will need. It is important to be aware that neglect can be rather difficult to identify.
Sexual abuse Sexual abuse is a sexual act that the person does not understand or is forced into. It can also be a situation where the person is dependent upon the perpetrator. Sexual assault of children implies that the person infringes on the integrity of the child for the satisfaction of his/her own or someone else's sexual needs. The reason could also be e.g. money. In Sweden sexual abuse is also any act of a sexual nature involving a person below the age of 15. In Sweden all kinds of child pornography is defined as sexual abuse. That also includes possession. The child is continually abused, not only at the time of the specific situation, but also by the spreading of pictures and films on the Internet etc.
Different situations Abuse may occur in a number of different situations and in a number of different ways. At home you might meet a Scout repeatedly over a longer period of time and you get to know him or her quite well, which may make it easier to spot abuse. Abuse that is taking place at home may be revealed at the Jamboree, or something might occur during the camp. There may also be situations during the Jamboree that you do not feel comfortable with.
During the camp leaders should be aware of all forms of abuse that may occur between: Adults and Scouts Scouts and Scouts Adults and other Adults
Vulnerable youth Children and youth with special needs are more vulnerable and at a higher risk of being abused. We also need to be especially aware of the higher risk for those with no visible disabilities. We need to be extra cautious when there are Scouts who need special care or assistance. It is best to ask the Scout what assistance he or she needs during activities or if they are unable to communicate, ask the person who assists them.
Exercise – Situations Here are four examples of different situations that can take place at a camp. Match the situations on the left side with what kind of abuse you consider it to be on the right side. Click on the situation and after that in the right column. Even if you don’t have to know what kind it is during the camp you still need to recognize the situation. A leader tells a Scout that he is stupid and useless. The leader does this in front of the Scout’s patrol. A Scout is tied to a flagpole with his arms behind his back and the scarf tied to his face. A 15 year old Scout hears some younger male IST making comments about her breasts. A group of Scouts repeatedly tease and exclude another teenager. Sexual abuse Physical abuse Emotional abuse Bullying No abuse situation
Answer – when all are correct That is correct. When a leader is talking like that to and about a Scout it can be categorized as emotional abuse. If it is repeated it can be considered bullying.
Tying up a Scout against his or her will is physical abuse. Comments about a person connected to sex or sexual services is sexual abuse or harassment. This is bullying when repeated. If it happens once it might be emotional abuse. Bullying in other situations can be considered physical abuse.
Summary The main objective is that no one will be exposed to abuse, but the focus is on young people. Good child protection practice means making sure that all are aware of potential signs of abuse. It is based upon the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the Human Rights.
Abuse can be defined in five different forms: - Bullying - Physical abuse - Emotional abuse - Neglect - Sexual abuse
Abuse can take place between; Adults and Scouts Scouts and Scouts Adults and other Adults
Cases 1&2 Case 1, The patrol challenge You are an IST running a programme activity in the Global Development Village. Your activity requires that the patrol works together to solve a number of tasks to find clues which will help them to solve the patrol challenge. This day is hectic, everyone wants to finish early to be able to make the last preparations for the big celebrations tonight. A patrol of 16-17-year olds arrives and everyone seems to be very interested both in your instructions and the challenge. Everyone except for one participant. Muhammad looks younger than the others and rather unhappy and maybe insecure as well. He sits slightly apart from the others, not really being part of the patrol. Towards the end of the introduction you say to the others: “Are you not going to include Muhammad in finding the clues? Everyone is needed” James, the boy who seems to be the patrol leader, says “Nah, leave him alone. We do this better without him, he doesn’t know anything”. The others nod in silence.
Bullying in groups If you’d like a reminder of the definition of bullying. Why do you think bullying occurs? Who does the bullying? How do you prevent it in your local Scouting? How can you prevent it in your position during the Jamboree? Do you think everything is bullying that we adults consider to be bullying? If you have the chance – discuss these questions with your Scout friends.
Case 2, The climbing wall Today is your turn to be responsible for the activities at the climbing wall. This is a very popular activity and there is always a line of Scouts waiting for their turn. Many also just stand around watching. Some are taking an active roll in supporting and coaching the ones climbing. “That's good!” “You can make it a bit further”. But sometimes the comments are not very helpful. Now it is Tatyana, a 15-year-old girl who is climbing the wall. This is her first time climbing and she is quite insecure. One guy, Mathias, who stands close by says, (high enough for Tatyana to hear): Eh, spread your legs – that’s something you girls don’t find difficult in other situations.” He laughs and looks around. None of the others standing there say anything. You feel that the situation is turning embarrassing silence.
Exercise You wonder how you should handle the situation. Should you say anything? Should you do anything? Yes, what do you think you do? Choose one option.
I don’t do anything, I don’t think Tatyana heard the comment. Well, she probably heard since everyone else did. It is important that you do react in such a situation, especially if you are responsible for the activity. Say something to emphasise that comments like that are not ok. It is important that Tatyana feels that you do something and that Mathias notices that he has done something improper as well as everyone around sees that comments like that do not go unnoticed.
I don’t do anything, comments like that are nothing to take seriously. Well, even if you don’t take them seriously Tatyana might, and everyone else around felt uneasy about it. It is important that you do react in such a situation, especially if you are responsible for the activity. Say something to emphasise that comments like that are not ok. It is important that Tatyana feels that you do something and that Mathias notices that he has done something improper as well as everyone around sees that comments like that do not go unnoticed.
I say something like “Hey, that was a very inappropriate comment. We don’t say things like that to each other”. That is a very good response to that comment. It is important that you react in some way in such situations, especially if you are responsible for the activity. It is important that
Tatyana feels that you do something and that Mathias notices that he has done something improper as well as everyone around sees that comments like that do not go unnoticed.
I think I ought be saying something, but I don’t know what. It is not always so easy to find the right words in such a situation, but say something. It doesn’t have to be the perfect thing. It is important that you react in some way in such situations, especially if you are responsible for the activity. It is important that Tatyana feels that you do something and that Mathias notices that he has done something improper as well as everyone around sees that comments like that do not go unnoticed.
Sexual harassment This is a situation Tatyana might consider to be sexual harassment. You can read the definition of sexual abuse here. With comments like this it is necessary to react directly at the time of the situation. Even if the situation does not call for a report it is still important to act. If possible talk with both of them afterwards. Mathias to stress that you meant what you said and to give him a chance to apologize to Tatyana. Tell him that that kind of comments may be taken as sexual harassment. Talk with Tatyana to check how she is feeling about the situation.
Exercise Is it likely that these situations or something similar can occur during the Jamboree? Choose one: Yes With the experience from other Jamborees, yes it’s very likely. We all need to be prepared for such situations. We hope this course will help you in your preparations. No I hope you are right, but the experience from other Jamborees is that it is a quite likely that these or similar things will happen. We all need to prepare for such situations and we hope this course will help you to do that.
Routines and actions
Routines and actions during the camp In this module we will present the routines that apply during the World Scout Jamboree. This module also describes what actions to take if something happens. These are security and safety measures both for adults and children during the camp. They apply at all activities throughout the Jamboree. As a contingent or unit you are of course allowed to have additional rules for your group, for example regulating the interaction between leader and Scout or female and male participants. Since the camp is in Sweden, Swedish law applies. In this module you will get a very short introduction to the laws relevant to the camp.
Help for you The goal of the camp is that every participant will be protected from all kinds of abuse; bullying, physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. In that process these four functions will help you: Strolling Steward – he or she is walking around for the general safety. They will know where to refer any questions or reports. They will be visible by a vest. First Aider – he or she has some kind of medical training. They will also be walking around the Jamboree site, visible by a vest. Listening Ear and Child Protection Officer (CPO) – are persons placed in the Subcamp centers. They will have the competence to deal with “difficult questions” and also to listen to your worries. They will be in charge of the protection of young people and will handle reports and take further actions when needed. The same functions will also be available in Adult Town.
Action Card Another help for you is the Action Card. This Card will be a short reminder of how to act when something occurs. It will in short be what is written in this training. This information will also be found in the Camp book. You will receive a pocket size Action Card when you arrive at the camp. Always carry it with you.
How to behave How you act and behave influences others. Therefore it is important that you are aware of your own behaviour. Here are some points to remember: Treat everyone with dignity and respect Be courageous and act if you see something that is not okay, encourage others to do the same. Sometimes it is enough that you say something, to let the person know that the behaviour is inappropriate.
Set an example you wish others to follow Allow young people to talk about any concerns they may have. But never promise not to tell anyone else. Be careful with young people’s feelings and integrity. Avoid flirting and do not have any sexual relationship with a young person. Remember, someone else might misinterpret your actions e.g. touching, bad language. If you suspect abuse, take it seriously and act immediately.
How to act If you hear about or become aware of abuse of any kind you should act. That is not always easy, but remember - the Action Card is a help. The most important thing is that you do something. In these next pages you will find some advice on how you could act in three different situations.
If a young person tells you about being abused by someone: • • •
Believe him or her. Do not make judgements. Ask open ended questions, like “What happened?” Never give a promise of silence or solutions. Ask for name, contingent and which Subcamp she/he belongs to. Take the person with you and report right away to the closest Strolling Steward, First Aider or Listening Ear/CPO.
If you suspect abuse or are concerned about the well-being of someone • • •
Think clearly. What do you suspect is happening. Try to identify the persons involved, both the abused and the abuser. Contact the closest Strolling Steward, First Aider or Listening Ear/CPO.
If you see when any kind of abuse is taking place • • • • • •
You have to act, right away. Try to bring another adult with you. Walk into the situation and interrupt. Ask something like ”What is going on here?” Find out who the people involved are. Name, contingent, Subcamp. If possible take the person being assaulted with you, away from the situation. Contact the closest Strolling Steward, First Aider or Listening Ear/CPO.
What will happen when I report abuse? When an incidence of abuse comes to your attention, it is very important that you make a report. It might be necessary to interrupt what you are doing for the moment. Once an incident has been reported, the Child Protection Officer will take responsibility for any future actions. The contingent concerned will be informed about the actions taken.
Drug policy Another issue when talking about routines during the Jamboree is drugs. The Jamboree has a policy about drugs. You will find the complete policy here. The main aspects are: •
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Alcohol and drugs are not parts of the Jamboree experience. We know that different cultures have different rules and traditions regarding this but we have chosen a zero tolerance principle. According to Swedish Legislation, any person who possesses, uses or otherwise handles narcotics is committing a crime.
Brief description of Swedish legislation Swedish legislation applies during the Jamboree and any violations of the law will be reported to the Police authorities. If report of criminal offence is filed, the participant may be requested to leave the campsite.
Prosecution At 15 years of age every young man or woman is responsible for his or her actions and can be arrested, charged and punished for having committed a crime. The public prosecutor, not the individual who has been abused, decides whether or not to press charges.
Sex The legal age for young people to have sex is 15. It constitutes child rape to have sex with someone under the age of15. Since the age limit is absolute it makes no difference if the young person consents to having sex. The punishment for child rape is a minimum of two years in prison. To touch someone’s body without consent is considered sexual harassment. To use violence to force another person to have sexual relations constitutes rape. The same applies if a person takes advantage of another person’s helplessness when asleep, drugged or intoxicated by alcohol. Legislation applies equally to males and females.
Use of violence Adults are not allowed to use violence of any kind against children in Sweden. It is, for example, illegal for parents to slap or spank children in order to discipline them. Of course, the same applies to violence against adults or between children
Alcohol Alcohol is only sold in special liquor stores (Systembolaget) to people who are 20 years and older. Pubs and restaurants serve alcohol to people over 18. It is not allowed to buy, sell or give alcohol to someone who is under 20.
Tobaccos In Sweden, it is illegal to sell or give tobacco to people under 18.
Illegal Drugs Possession of all drugs, except alcohol and nicotine, is illegal in Sweden, including possession for personal use. Personal use of drugs is also illegal. In some countries, the legislation differs regarding so called soft and hard drugs. In Sweden we do not make that distinction. All substances that are illegal to use or possess, are illegal to bring to Sweden.
What do I do now? Now it is your turn. Reflect on how these issues and routines affect you, in your position at the Jamboree. Read the relevant paragraph below. IST member – even if you don’t know what you are going to work with, discuss the subject at your meeting in the contingent. How does this influence your work? Is it anything you need to think about before you arrive? Write down your thoughts and bring them with you to the camp. They will be addressed during the follow up training at the Jamboree as part of your IST Experience Planning Team – part of your preparations prior to the camp are also to reflect and make preparations in your specific field of work. Are there any situations or tasks you have to prepare for? Contingent Management Team – prepare to discuss the issue in the contingent, prepare your own action plan. Unit leader– make yourself familiar with the action plan for your contingent. Reflect together with your team and others in your contingent on how to handle or act. Also, how will you prepare your Scouts?
Summary React and act if you see, hear or suspect abuse. Read the Action Card, a short summary of how to act. The Strolling Stewards, First Aider or Listening Ear/Child Protection Officer are the ones you contact if you become aware of abuse Be aware of your own behaviour and reactions. Swedish legislation applies during the Jamboree.
Listen and talk Exercise Have you ever been in a situation where someone has told you in confidence that he or she has been abused? Choose one alternative. Yes Many people think this is a difficult conversation. It can feel easier if you have some tools for this. In this module you will have some points to think about. No A young person might approach you and want to talk to you about difficult things, for example that he/she has been subjected to abuse. It can feel easier if you have some tools for this. In this module you will have some points to think about.
Dare to listen When a person talks to you in confidence it means that he or she has faith in you and feels safe. Therefore it is important that you listen to what he or she has to say. Do not betray his or her trust. In short – you have to take it seriously. It is part of your role as a leader to dare to see and act when necessary. When a child decides to tell someone what he or she has been through, it might be part of a long process. Maybe this is the first time they dare to tell anyone. It’s important that you listen! Most adults have different reasons why they don’t see or listen to a young person.
For example • • •
It is difficult to see the situation from the young person’s perspective. It is easy to look for other explanations Having to realize that a young person is being maltreated is distressing.
What to do – some points to remember. It is not all that easy to talk with a young person about difficult things. In this module we will walk you through some points that will help you.
In short • • • •
Find a suitable place Believe what he or she is telling you Do not judge Encourage
• • • •
Remember what the Scout says Confirm Do not make any promises Decide on next step
Find a place where you can talk If someone starts to tell you about his or her situation or a specific event, try to find a place were you can talk undisturbed. It should be a place away from other people but where you still are visible. Try to stay calm during the conversation. You do not need to know right away what to do nor act immediately. But make sure you have the name, contingent and Subcamp of the person before you break up.
Believe what the person is telling you Try not to have the adult perspective when listening. Listen actively and show that you accept what the person is telling you. Try not to have preconceived ideas of the person or what he or she is saying. Try not to express doubt about what you hear. It is quite common to try to find other explanations.
Do not judge Let the person express all sorts of feelings but try to stay as neutral as possible yourself. Stay calm and do not express strong emotion or show that you are upset about what you are being told. Try not to comfort the person by saying things like “Well, it will pass” or belittle what the person just told you by saying “That wasn’t that bad at all...”
Encourage Encourage the person by asking careful questions. Like “Can you tell me a bit more?” But do not rush him or her.
Do not ask for too many details. Like “What time did it happen?” Most of the time it is enough for you to know that something might have happened.
Remember what the Scout says Listen attentively and try to remember the words that the person used to describe the situation. After the conversation, it is important that you write down what you heard, using actual wording where possible. This is for your own memory for later if needed. Also to treat the information as confidential, sharing it only with the relevant people.
Confirm It is important that you really try to understand the situation that the Scout describes. Repeat or rephrase what the person has said to check if you have understood. “Have I understood you correctly?”
Do not make any promises Do not promise to keep quiet or that the situation soon will be solved but you can say you will try to help. Never give a promise that you will keep quiet since you do not know what he or she is going to tell you. You may have to break that promise and that person may already lack trust in adults.
Decide on next step Before you part, you need to decide if this talk was enough or if you should forward this information to other people at the Jamboree. How you proceed is described in the module Routines and Actions and on the Action Card. If it is a case of urgency bring the Scout with you to a Strolling Steward or First Aider walking around the Jamboree. Another alternative is the Listening Ear/CPO you will find in all Subcamps.
Reflection Reflect on these questions, on your own or together with some Scout friends. When was the last time you had a ”difficult” conversation with a child, young person or adult? Were you a good listener? What did you do well? What can you improve next time? Write down your reflections. If you are an IST member please bring your notes with you to the Jamboree.
Summary It is part of your role as a leader to dare to see and act when necessary. Some points to remember when you are listening and talking to a Scout in a difficult situation. • • • • • • • •
Find a suitable place Believe what he or she tells you Do not judge Encourage Remember what the Scout says Confirm Do not make any promises Decide on next step
Case 3 Case 3, Tying up and gagging You have your afternoon off and are looking forward to a walk and seeing a part of the Jamboree site you haven't seen before. You pass a group of both boys and girls who are bossing a boy around. You notice after a while that they are tying a smaller boy to the flagpole and they use a scarf to cover his mouth. One of the Scouts in the group looks at you and says something to the others. They continue what they are doing and are not trying to hide what they are up to. The small boy that they are tying doesn’t seem to protest to the activity, but on the other hand he has a scarf over his mouth and they are five against one.
Exercise I’m sure they are up to some kind of game, but my gut feeling says that something is not quite ok. What do you do? Choose one
I just pass and don’t really care what’s happening. It’s my afternoon off. This is probably the easiest way to act, but it is a lot better to do something. As an adult or leader you have a responsibility to react and to do something.
I walk towards the group and say something like: “What are you up to, that does not look like a great game?” This is a great way to react and act. In these kinds of situations it is not that easy to know what to do. Most of the time we probably just pass by not even noticing that something is happening. Having said that, it is important to look around to see what is happening and act when something doesn’t look fair.
I look around to see if their leaders are around. Two leaders are standing a bit further away and I walk up to them and tell them what I just saw. This is a great way to react and act. In these kinds of situations it is not that easy to know what to do. Most of the time we probably just pass by not even noticing that something is happening. Having said that, it is important to look around to see what is happening and act when something doesn’t look fair.
To act as an adult If more adults dared to ask “what’s going on”, less children and youth would probably be bullied. Sometimes children and youth do things that aren’t OK for everyone without it being straight forward bullying. They are just going along with the group and are not really thinking. A question from adults might make them realise what they are up to. In this case it would probably be a good idea just to start talking to them and check that everyone thinks it’s fun. Even the small boy who is tied to the flagpole. Make sure you make some kind of contact with that boy, eye contact if that is appropriate. Also talk with the leaders if you can see them.
Exercise Is it likely that this situation or something similar can occur during the Jamboree? Choose one: Yes With the experience from other Jamborees, yes it’s very likely, The contingents will receive special preparatory material on Safe from Harm. As a part of the IST Experience there will be a follow up face-to-face training on Safe from Harm for all IST-members. No I hope you are right, but the experience from other Jamborees is that it is quite likely that this or similar things will happen. The contingents will receive special preparatory material on Safe from Harm. As a part of the IST Experience there will be a follow up face-to-face training on Safe from Harm for all IST-members.
Cultural differences Jamboree – many cultures meet! The Jamboree encourage meetings between those from different cultures, religions, countries and contingents. You will get to know those who live outside of your own local community and find that strangers can become friends. The Jamboree is a place where a number of different cultures come together. There will be Scouts from almost every country in the world. Different cultures have different norms and what I do effect others. This module will deal with cultural differences. A specific module is dedicated to Sweden and the Swedish as we welcome you here.
Cultural differences One part of the preparations is to be aware of how my behaviour will affect others around me. My way of acting may cause misunderstandings. Perhaps I just wanted to be friendly or tell a joke but the other person felt that I was arrogant. There is no such thing as a universal body language. One way of reducing such misunderstandings is to ask if things are ok. One thing that influences our actions and interpretation of what is happening around us is our own cultural background. Most of the time you are not aware of your own way of thinking or acting since that is the normal thing for you.
Values and norms Differences in values and norms come from what we think is important. For example, is the family or the individual most important? Is it more important to be successful or to be happy? Is religion a private matter or is it important in society? Is the society mainly an agricultural society or post-industrial? These are some aspects that influence our values. If you would like to read more about this, one way of describing it can be found here. See Inglehart-Welzel Cultural Map of the World. It is important that we learn to understand and respect other people’s cultures and values. There are some aspects of this that may become quite visible during the Jamboree and need to be considered.
Here are some practical examples that influence our way of acting: Dress Code – in some cultures it is appropriate for men and women to wear shorts and sleeveless tops but for others covering most parts of the body is appropriate. Please be sensitive to this when changing clothes for activities and dress modestly not to cause offence. Behaviour – some cultures are very informal while others are much more formal, particularly between generations and sexes. One type of behaviour that might be considered disrespectful is perhaps only a lack of sensitivity. If in doubt, behave more formally and for example avoid hugs and kisses if you are not sure how the other person will react. Gender – in Scouting there should be equal opportunities for all members; boys, girls, men and women, but the view on how this is done in practice differs between cultures. The Jamboree is organized with this in mind. Religion – it is good to know that what is considered correct or appropriate differs between religions. This concerns e.g. food, clothing and symbols. If someone does something that would be considered wrong or inappropriate within your religion it is most likely that he or she is unaware of this. Also that it is done without any bad intentions. Personal space – it differs at what distance from another person you feel comfortable during a normal conversation, for example. Another example is how much you touch another person during a conversation, or if it is ok to hold hands. Reference of time – to be on time for something means different things to different people. It can mean everything from arriving five minutes before scheduled time to two hours after. It is when you have different opinions about this that it can be a source of conflict. At the Jamboree you may find other examples of cultural differences that affect our way of behaving.
Case – how would you react? Here are two examples of situations that could occur at the Jamboree. Maybe you recognize the situation? What would you do?
Provoke You see a female IST member who gets provoked by some of the Scouts in her group. The Scouts are from different contingents. You see and hear that the Scouts completely ignore what the IST is saying. One of the boys in the group says to her “I don´t care what you say
– you are not my leader”. The IST loses her temper and grabs the boy hard by the arm and shouts “I am the one in charge here and you will do as I tell you to, and the same goes for the rest of you!” What do you do as a fellow leader? Choose one of the following ways.
I ignore the situation, I’m sure she will be able to handle it by herself. This is not the best way to act. If you see a situation as this the best thing is to ask what is going on and ask if you can give some help.
I say Stop and interrupt the situation and ask to talk to the IST privately. This can be one way to handle the situation but your talk need be short since the IST has to return to the Scouts in some minutes, otherwise they may leave the place. If she doesn´t want to talk to you immediately, you have to wait.
I say stop and interrupt the situation and tell the Scout off. This is not the best way to behave. Although the IST has behaved badly with the Scouts, it is important to understand that the IST has responsibility for the Scouts during this time and this needs to be respected.
I make myself noticed and ask what is going in, without blaming anyone. This is a good way to act.
Guys in a group You are walking around the Jamboree site together with a friend. You notice five guys who are between 18 and 20 years old standing around a girl who is 15-16 years old. She is wearing a bikini top and short tight shorts. The guys look cool and self-confident. They are talking loudly among themselves, maybe about her and you can hear “Why don’t you come with us?” The girl looks serious and embarrassed. It looks like she does not like the situation. You see the situation and what do you do? Choose one of the following:
I just continue walking, this is none of my business. This is not a very good way to act. If you see a situation as this the best thing is to ask what is going on and ask if you can give some help.
I stop, make sure I’m being seen by the group and observe what is happening. This could be a way to act but you have to be prepared to interrupt if it looks like the girl continues to look as if she doesn't like the situation.
I walk up to the group and say something like - “Stop, what's happening here?” And ask the girl “You look uncomfortable, is there anything I can do”?. This is probably the best way to act. Let the guys know that it’s not OK. You also might talk to the girl afterwards about her way of dressing and how others might interpret the situation. This is the last example in this module. Do you think that these or similar situations could happen during the Jamboree?
Summary Our interpretation of things around us is influenced by our own cultural background. Different cultures have different norms and values. Example of aspects that may show differences and cause misunderstandings: Dress code Behaviour Gender Religion Personal space Reference of time
About Sweden Sweden and the Swedish people At an international Jamboree there is a mixture of different cultures. Since the Jamboree is in Sweden you will experience things that are, or you might think are, typically Swedish. In this module there is a short description of what is considered or appears to be typically Swedish. This includes both facts and cultural aspects. Hopefully you will have a good laugh or maybe even recognize something. What were the first things you thought about when hearing that the Jamboree would be in Sweden?
Perhaps one of these things came to mind: IKEA The Nobel Prize Nordic Design Public welfare Pippi Longstocking Smorgasboard Volvo Independent women ABBA Astrid Lindgren Well organized Snow Ingmar Bergman Roxette Gender equality Zlatan Forest
Culture in Sweden Sweden is known for its consensus culture. We have meetings not only to make decisions but also to let everyone in a group have their say. The Swedish business climate is known for flat organizational structures and managers who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves. We generally are not impressed by titles or age but rather what someone does and contributes.
The work climate is open and informal. We call the boss by his or her first name, make decisions jointly and strive for gender equality. Everyone is expected to take initiatives, for example by reporting if something is not working.
Facts about Sweden Area: 174,000 sq mi (450,000 km²), the third largest country in Western Europe. Population: 9.3 million inhabitants Density of population: 23 inh/km2 Longest north-south distance: 978 mi (1,574 km) Longest east-west distance: 310 mi (499 km) Forests: 53% Mountains: 11% Cultivated land: 8% Lakes and rivers: 9% Capital: Stockholm Languages: Swedish Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy Religion: In practice, Sweden is very secularized. The Church of Sweden is Evangelical Lutheran; co-exists with many other beliefs Life expectancy: men 79 years, women 83 years
Culture in Sweden A strong public safety network makes everyday life easier. We trust authorities and the family is less important when it comes to social security. Children and youth are encouraged to have an opinion and expect to be listened to. This description is made by the Swedish Institute and more information can be found on www.sweden.se What about your culture? How different is your own culture from the above description? Can you think about some characteristics that make your culture unique? You will now be presented two situations you may come across during your stay in Sweden. How would you react? Choose the option that is closest to your own and see the reaction from the Swede.
Sense of time You and your Swedish IST colleague Johan have decided to meet up in one of the cafés at 14.00 (2 pm). You need to talk about the programme for the following morning. When do you arrive?
Kl 13.30 Johan is sitting there talking to someone else. You walk up to him and say “hi!”. Johan replies “Oh, hi! We did say 2 o'clock right? I just need to finish this meeting. Why don’t you take a seat at that table over there, I will soon be finished here..”
Kl 14 – You both meet outside, say hello, get a cup of coffee and choose a table.
Kl. 14.30 – Johan isn’t there! He left ten minutes ago and he is quite annoyed that you didn’t arrive at the time you agreed to meet.
Camp in Camp You are a unit leader and have arrived at the program Camp in Camp together with your unit, away from the main campsite. You are at a meeting for all the participants and a visitor, not a Scout, is addressing the entire group. The interpreter tells you what the man is saying, adding that he is the mayor of the town close by. Two 10-year old Scouts run up to him and ask: “Could you please make sure we have more sweets at this camp?” The Mayor smiles and answers: “No I can't, I’m sorry, but why don’t you speak to the camp manager. She is standing right next me”. You turn to the interpreter and say:
Is that really the mayor? He is quite young and is wearing jeans and t-shirt? The interpreter says: “Well, we don’t pay that much attention to titles, for us the mayor is like anyone else. We think it is more important that he is a good leader for the town and makes good decisions.”
Such bad manners of those children saying such a thing to the mayor! Why didn’t anyone stop them? The interpreter says: “Well, children are encouraged to influence. That they take the chance to change something is a positive thing. And we don’t expect them to pay someone respect only because of his or her title.”
Oh, it looks like you have a good cooperation with the local town. That's fantastic. And it seems that the mayor likes making a visit to the camp. The interpreter says: “Oh yes, his children used to be members of one of the Scout groups and he thinks voluntary work is very important, especially among children and youth.”
Test Test your knowledge You have reached the final module of the Safe from Harm training programme and now you can test yourself to see what you have learned. What do you really remember? You must answer at least 75% of the nine questions correctly in order to pass. Once you have done that you will be able to print your own certificate. It is mandatory for IST members as well as members of the Planning team to complete the course and to pass the test. The answers and questions are based on the content of the course.
Do you, as a leader/IST, have a responsibility to prevent abuse in the activities you take part in? 1. Yes, absolutely 2. No, that should not be my responsibility 3. I am not sure
What is the most important thing for you to remember when talking to a young person who has been abused? 1. Find a hidden place to talk 2. Believe what the person is telling you 3. Promise a solution
What is your role as a leader when reporting abuse? 1. Help the person in contact with the right person at the Jamboree 2. Give professional support 3. Be part of the investigation
The preventive work with child protection applies to all adults in Scouting no matter what role they have 1. True 2. False
Child abuse refers only to situations in which the child or young person gets physically injured. 1. True 2. False
Physical abuse is intentionally inflicting physical injury to a young person. 1. True 2. False
Sexual abuse is a sexual act that the person does not understand or is forced into. 1. True 2. False
Emotional abuse is actions, words and behaviour that harm a young person’s emotional state and self-esteem. 1. True 2. False
Neglect describes the failure to provide a young person with things that are essential to his or her health. 1. True 2. False
What are the five categories of abuse defined in this course? 1. Neglect, physical, pinching, bullying, pain 2. Bullying, sexual, pinching, neglect, emotional 3. Physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, bullying.
Bullying is when intentionally negative actions or behaviour towards another person is repeated over a period of time. 1. True 2. False
Are you as a leader/IST obliged to report abuse? 1. Yes, even if I am not legally obliged I still have a moral duty to report. 2. No, it is not my duty. That is the role of the Strolling Stewards
If a girl is wearing a bikini it means that she wants to have sex. 1. True 2. False
Until what age are you legally considered to be a child according to the Rights of the Child? 1. Until you are 18 years old. 2. It depends on how mature you are. 3. It is different in different countries, there is no universal limit that applies across the world.
Abuse occurs in every country. 1. True 2. False
Telling your Scouts repeatedly that they are no good and useless is… 1. bullying 2. the truth 3. physical abuse
In Sweden all kinds of child pornography is defined as sexual abuse 1. Yes, 2. No
A sexual act is always illegal in Sweden below the age of 15. 1. True 2. False
Adults are not allowed to use violence of any kind against children in Sweden 1. True 2. False
Swedish legislation applies even during the Jamboree 1. True 2. False
The Jamboree has a policy about drugs 1. Yes 2. No
It is ok to drink alcohol in the Adult town. 1. Yes 2. No
If you are 16 you are allowed to buy tobacco in Sweden. 1. True 2. False
Until what age are you considered to be a child according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 1. 17 years 2. 18 years 3. 19 years
The so called Action Card that every adult will receive when they arrive at the camp will be 1. A short reminder of the Swedish legislation 2. A reminder of how to act when abuse occur 3. A reminder of how the camp site is planned
How you act and behave influence others. Therefore it is important that you are aware of your own behaviour. 1. True 2. False
Strolling Stewards will help you when you want to report abuse, suspicion of abuse or other incidences that worry you 1. Yes 2. No
When you yourself need some support or advice contact a Listening Ear/Child Protection Officer who can be found both in the Subcamps and in Adult town. 1. Yes 2. No
My own culture influences my values and behaviour? 1. Yes 2. No
Information about production Course producer: Marie Rydén Davoust In collaboration with Carin Grundberg Sandell and project team. Course content and material from: project Safe from Harm and Jamboree Office Illustrations: Olle Landsell, Ulf Lundkvist Photographer: Kaspra Burns, Torkel Edenborg, Jonas Elmqvist, Magnus Fröderberg, Björn Wiklander, Translator: Rabie Abulatifah, Paco Briones, Dominique Bénard, Liana Davletberdina, Marisol Mayorga, All rights reserved. The Swedish Guide and Scout Council and World Scout Jamboree 2011 Thanks to every part of the project team and production. Thanks to the World Scout Bureau for the very useful support during the process. This course was made possible by “Vattenfall”