Organized activities such as boy scout and church camps have long been a popular tradition in the US. Approximately 12,000 camps take place each year, which are attended by millions of kids and adults. They are a chance for kids to experience new sports, get used to being away from home, and discover a sense of independence. Sadly, not all kids have a good time when they attend camps and group activities.
How Much of a Problem is Sexual Abuse in Activity Camps?
A recent survey by Church Mutual found that 57 percent of parents were worried about the risk of abuse. The rise of #MeToo has led to a huge increase of abuse lawsuits, with adults making allegations of abuse they suffered during childhood visits to summer camps. A CBS report in 2018 discussed more than 500 allegations of summer camp sexual abuse and experts say 1 in 10 kids are abused.
Cases of church camp and boy scout abuse are endemic, as Romanucci & Blandin can attest, and Boy Scouts of America is currently facing bankruptcy after a $2.7 billion settlement was rejected in a huge class-action lawsuit. Because abuse in camps is such a problem, it’s vital that parents educate their kids on how to stay safe.
Talk About It
Sexual abuse is a difficult topic to discuss with children, but it is a conversation that must be had. Make sure you address the issue in an age-appropriate way. Talk about how some adults are not nice and the kinds of behavior to be suspicious of, such as inappropriate gifts and attention.
Talk to your child about their body and how some parts are private. It is hard for kids to tell someone about abuse if they don’t have the right vocabulary. Make sure your child knows the right names for intimate areas.
Have Safety Rules in Place
Put some simple rules in place for when they are at camp. These could include rules like always sticking with a friend or sibling and not being alone with an adult. Tell your child that it is okay to say no if they feel uncomfortable, and they should always tell you if anything happens that they don’t like because you will believe them, no matter what.
Make it clear that your child must never leave camp with an adult they don’t know. Have a password so that if someone other than you collects them, they know it has been arranged with you.
Recognize the Signs of Abuse
Abuse is an insidious thing, and it can be hard to spot the signs, especially in younger children. Be alert to unexplained behavioral changes. Teenagers can be moody at times, but if a normally happy child is suddenly anxious and depressed, you need to find out why. Younger children might start having nightmares or begin wetting the bed.
Have any unexplained injuries checked out.
Always ask questions if you suspect something is wrong. It is your job as a parent to help them be safe.
