May 2004 Volume 30 Issue 5  

Girl Scout books help keep girls safe

Girl Scouts of the USA’s newest publication series, Staying Safe for Girls
Ages 4-17, is designed to help girls
and the people who care for them) learn ways to better ensure their personal safety.

Created with input from girls ages 4 to 17, the series is a component of P.A.V.E. the Way (Project Anti-Violence Education), a national Girl Scout violence-intervention initiative funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Three new titles in the Staying Safe for
Girls Ages 4-17 series are:

  • “No Way!” A Book about Staying Safe for Girls Ages 4-6
  • “Don’t Go There!” A Book about
    Staying Safe for Girls Ages 6-8
  • “I Don’t Think So!” A Book about Staying Safe for Girls Ages 8-11

Using age-appropriate activities, language and approaches, each Staying Safe booklet covers topics such as:

  • saying “no” to potentially dangerous
    adults,
  • confident body language,
  • good touches and bad touches,
  • bullying, and
  • sexual harassment and abuse.

Previously published for girls ages
11-17 under the P.A.V.E. the Way umbrella is STUDIO 2B FOCUS: Take Charge. It addresses sensitive issues like date rape and
incest, as well as personal safety issues like self-defense and school safety.

There are also two books in the Staying Safe for Girls Ages 4-17 series written for adults who care for girls: The Adult Guide to Staying Safe and the Council Guide to Staying Safe. Topics include state-mandated reporting laws and how to recognize signs of physical abuse and mistreatment.

Girls who complete any of the activities in the Staying Safe for Girls Ages 4-11 books can earn a participation patch. Girls ages 11-17 who set goals in STUDIO 2B FOCUS: Take Charge can earn a charm.

Health and Human Services launches campaign to prevent youth bullying

Health and Human Services Secretary
Tommy G. Thompson announced a new
campaign to educate Americans about
how to prevent bullying and youth violence.

The campaign – “Take A Stand. Lend A Hand. Stop Bullying Now!” – is designed
to stop bullying, including verbal or physical harassment that occurs repeatedly
over time. That aspect is important as
girls tend to bully through gossiping,
social exclusion, and verbal teasing.

The campaign was developed by HHS’
Health Resources and Services Administration in partnership with more
than 70 health, safety, education, and faith-based organizations. Girl Scouts of the USA was one of the original partners. In addition, a Youth Expert Panel comprised of 9- to 13-year-olds provided creative direction during the development of the campaign.

The impact of bullying on children’s educational success and personal well-being is tremendous. According to the U.S. Department of Education, one in four children who act as bullies will have a criminal record by the age of 30. Studies have shown people who bully others often behave badly in school and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and tend to receive

lower grades. The “Stop Bullying Now!” campaign includes a Web-based, animated story featuring a cast of young people who deal with bullies in the classrooms, hallways, and grounds of a middle school. With help from teachers, parents, and other
adults, the bullied characters get support
from fellow students who step up to make
it clear that bullying is “not cool.”

In addition to the animated “webisodes,” which will be updated every two weeks at www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov, the campaign will feature television and radio public service announcements distributed through the National Association of
Broadcasters member stations. The campaign Web site also offers camera-ready print PSAs and a Resource Kit about bullying prevention programs and activities that can be implemented at the school or community level. The Web site and Resource Kit also provide tools to help in handling individual bullying problems and for creating bullying prevention programs.

For more information on “Take A Stand. Lend A Hand. Stop Bullying Now!” go to www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov or call 1-888-ASK-HRSA.

Junior Troop aids others at safety event

Junior Troop #5697 from Mason Creek Service Unit earned its Bronze Award by preparing for and helping at the Katy Safety Challenge community event. Girls made identification badges for Girl Scout volunteers. They also prepared check lists for visiting Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts to use at the event. It listed all the requirements for the Safety Sense Try-it, the First Aid Badge, and safety awards for both levels.