It’s an amazing feeling when your girls put their trust in you—and
when they do, they may come to you with some of the issues they face,
such as bullying, peer pressure, dating, athletic and academic
performance, and more. Some of these issues may be considered
sensitive by families, and they may have opinions or input about how,
and whether, Girl Scouts should cover these topics with their
girl.
Girl Scouts welcomes and serves girls and families from a wide
spectrum of faiths and cultures. When girls wish to participate in
discussions or activities that could be considered sensitive—even for
some—put the topic on hold until you have spoken with parents and
received guidance from your council.
When Girl Scout activities involve sensitive issues, your role is
that of a caring adult volunteer who can help girls acquire skills and
knowledge in a supportive atmosphere, not someone who advocates
a particular position.
GSUSA does not take a position or develop materials on issues
relating to human sexuality, birth control, or abortion. We feel our
role is to help girls develop self-confidence and good decision-making
skills that will help them make wise choices in all areas of their
lives. We believe parents and caregivers, along with schools and faith
communities, are the primary sources of information on these topics.
Parents/guardians make all decisions regarding their girl’s
participation in Girl Scout program that may be of a sensitive nature.
As a volunteer leader, you must get written parental permission for
any locally planned program offering that could be considered
sensitive. Included on the permission form should be the topic of the
activity, any specific content that might create controversy, and any
action steps the girls will take when the activity is complete. Be
sure to have a form for each girl, and keep the forms on hand in case
a problem arises. For activities not sponsored by Girl Scouts, find
out in advance (from organizers or other volunteers who may be
familiar with the content) what will be presented, and follow your
council’s guidelines for obtaining written permission.
Report Concerns
There may be times when you worry about the health and
well-being of girls in your group. Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying,
abuse, depression, and eating disorders are some of the issues girls
may encounter. You are on the frontlines of girls’ lives, and you are
in a unique position to identify a situation in which a girl may need
help. If you believe a girl is at risk of hurting herself or others,
your role is to promptly bring that information to her
parent/caregiver or the council so she can get the expert assistance
she needs. Your concern about a girl’s well-being and safety is taken
seriously, and your council will guide you in addressing these concerns.
Here are a few signs that could indicate a girl needs expert
help:
- Marked changes in behavior or personality (for example,
unusual moodiness, aggressiveness, or sensitivity)
- Declining academic performance and/or inability to
concentrate
- Withdrawal from school, family activities, or
friendships
- Fatigue, apathy, or loss of interest in
previously enjoyed activities
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased secretiveness
- Deterioration in appearance and
personal hygiene
- Eating extremes, unexplained weight loss,
distorted body image
- Tendency toward perfectionism
- Giving away prized possessions; preoccupation with the subject
of death
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, burns, or
fractures
- Avoidance of eye contact or physical contact
- Excessive fearfulness or distrust of adults
- Abusive
behavior toward other children, especially younger ones
You Witness or Experience Abuse
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois supports and maintains environments
free of child abuse and neglect. All states require certain
professionals and institutions to report suspected child abuse.
Failure to report suspected child abuse can result in criminal and/or
civil liability. All states require the report to be made to some type
of law enforcement authority or child protection agency.
Reporting to a parent or relative will not satisfy the reporter's
legal duty under the statutes. The following guidelines outline how
reporting should happen in GSNI.
While volunteers are not mandated reporters within GSNI, we would
encourage them to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect. GSNI
requires all staff members to act as mandated reporters.
While not required, volunteers may find the Department of Children
and Family Services (DCFS) online training module or online manual useful.
Ideally the person with the most direct knowledge of the suspected
abuse should be the one to call the DCFS Hotline, however, this is not
a requirement. Volunteers suspecting child abuse have two options:
1) REPORT CHILD ABUSE TO DCFS: Volunteers who suspect abuse
or neglect may contact the DCFS Hotline Number at 1-800-25-ABUSE
(1-800-252-2873) directly.
A GSNI volunteer who has made a report based on information
discovered during a Girl Scout activity is also asked to provide to
GSNI a confidential incident report (written or verbal) outlining
their DCFS report immediately after reporting to DCFS.
2) REPORT CHILD ABUSE TO GSNI: If a volunteer suspects child
abuse and is not comfortable calling the hotline, they may contact one
of the following: your Member Support Specialist or GSNI’s Customer
Care line. If calling the Customer Care line, please let them know you
are concerned about a possible child abuse situation, and they will
either connect you directly with an appropriate staff member or have
the staff member call you back as quickly as possible. Once possible
child abuse is reported to a GSNI staff member, the staff member is
mandated to report it to DCFS.
In all cases, please preserve confidentiality of all reports made to
the hotline. Discuss only with the appropriate GSNI staff member and
with DCFS/law enforcement personnel.