In-person or online scouting event

Safe from Harm is a global initiative by WOSM based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It ensures that all Scouts, leaders, and volunteers are responsible for creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for young people.

Promote the Safe JOTA-JOTI Pledge

Encourage all participants to commit to the Safe JOTA-JOTI Pledge, which includes:

• Involving a trusted adult in their JOTA JOTI experience.
• Respecting the Scout Promise and Law.
• Reporting any suspicious or harmful activity.
• Keeping personal information and passwords private.
• Avoiding hurtful or hateful speech.
• Being respectful and friendly online

Breaking the pledge

If any rules from the Safe JOTA-JOTI pledge (above) are broken by any participant, a range of actions may be taken against the offending account(s), such as suspending or deleting the account, or being contacted by the Safe From Harm team for further investigation.

Educate Scouts on Digital Safety

Use the S.M.A.R.T. Online principles:

• S: Keep personal information SAFE.
• M: Don’t MEET people online without adult supervision.
• A: Think before you ACCEPT anything online.
• R: Not everyone is RELIABLE.
• T: TELL a trusted adult if something feels wrong

Be Safe Online e-learning course for Youth: https://lms.scout.org/courses/show/242066

The certificate to be submitted to the Section Leader and District Organising JOTA JOTI team before the event.

Provide Training for Adults and Volunteers  

All adults have a duty of care towards all young people during the scout event.  

They also have a duty to report any suspected or Safe from Harm incident or problem occurring during  the event.  

Encourage adult leaders and volunteers to complete the Be Safe Online e-learning course. This training  covers:  

• Online safety principles.  
• Recognizing inappropriate behavior.  
• Responding to incidents effectively.  

Be Safe Online e-learning course for Adults: https://lms.scout.org/courses/show/244011 

The certificate to be submitted to the Section Leader and District Organising JOTA JOTI team before the  event. 

All adult leaders should be informed about the Code of Conduct / Behaviour  

Reference should be made to the SfH By-law No.4 of 2025

In case of serious incidents are reported during the event

• A reporting procedure will be available  
• A Safe from Harm Desk / Team will be available on site and will liaise with the Organising Team. 

List of institutions in case serious cases are reported during the event  

All adults volunteer in scouting should complete the mandatory Safe from Harm e-learning and submit to  the Group Scout Leader before the event.

Leaders who have already completed the SfH1 can submit the certificate to their GSL and Organising Team for reference.  

External Stakeholders and resource persons

Any resource person attending the Jota Joti event should be informed about the Safe from Harm framework in scouting considering the Code of Conduct and Do's and Dont's clearly stated in the SfH By law no.4 of 2025.

Code of Conduct

• I will be considerate and respectful of others.
• I will follow the Scout Law.
• I will obey the Mauritian laws and regulations.
• I will not consume alcohol, I will not smoke and not use any narcotic substance on site.
• I will not participate in gambling activity.
• I will not use any offensive language or actions.
• I will not engage in inappropriate behaviour or contact with the youth and adults in the event.
• I will respect the event's rules and regulations.
• I will respect the Safe from Harm principles.

Set Up a “Listening Ear” Support System  

Designate trained adults as Listening Ears—trusted individuals who Scouts can approach if they feel  unsafe or uncomfortable. These volunteers should:  

• Be visible and approachable.  
• Provide a non-judgmental space.  
• Know how to escalate concerns to the Safe from Harm team

Reporting forms will be available if there are reports of cases.  

District Organising JOTA JOTI Team should ask for help from the ADC Safe from Harm.  

Any external persons recruited should provide proof of proficiency and their registration number to the  Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) or Societe des Psychologues Prives (SPP).  

The Organising Team will have to notify the District Safe from Harm Commission before the event of the  names of the professionals who will help, for verification and approval by the Safe from Harm Commission.

Set Up a Case Management Team  

A Case Management Team (CMT) has to be set up for the JJ by the SfH District Commission in consultation  with the DC and DEC.  

The role of the CMT is to handle all cases referred by the Listening Ear team.  

Procedures for Case Management have to be clearly defined before the event.  

In view of the importance of protecting our young members, I would appreciate your support in ensuring  that these instructions are circulated to all District Commissioners and Group Scout Leaders in advance of  the JOTA-JOTI events.  

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. While JOTA-JOTI should remain an enjoyable, educational and  enriching experience for our Scouts, the safety, dignity and well-being of every young participant must  remain our priority, both offline and online.  

Thank you for your attention and continued support in strengthening the implementation of Safe from Harm within the Mauritius Scouts Association.