Growing up in East Austin, there was little refuge for me from the gangs, drugs, and violence in my barrio, so when an opportunity arose for me to join the Boy Scouts as a teen, I jumped at the chance. I went from feeling trapped by the violence I was witnessing in my own home to the freedom of exploring the outdoors. Through the guidance of my Scoutmaster, I acquired camping and survival skills, but I also learned how to navigate through my adolescence using the Boy Scout Oath and Law as a compass.

From my summers at Lost Pines to my trek through Philmont and every meeting in-between, I recited the Boy Scout Law with great pride:

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. 

Emulating my Scoutmaster who was one of a handful of positive male role models in my life, I tried to live these principles out in my daily life. Even now, they are the same principles that I try to foster in my own son.

Unfortunately, these words and principles have not held true for all Scoutmasters. It has come to light that hundreds of Scoutmasters broke the trust parents and scouts placed in them. These Scoutmasters utilized their leadership role to assume power and enact unwanted sexual assaults on young boys and men. Then, in a further distortion of the Boy Scout Law, leaders, who sought to remain loyal to the Boy Scouts of America, failed to report these abusers to authorities, something which has become far too prevalent in large institutions responsible for shaping young minds. It is painful and disappointing that leadership within such a trusted organization as the Boy Scouts of America neglected to live up to its own core values, failing to ensure the safety of the boys who were sexually abused and coming forward only when courts forced them to address their history of protecting those who were abusive.

As a fellow Eagle Scout, I salute the boys and men who are courageously coming forward, telling their story, demanding accountability and insisting upon the implementation of policies and practices that put the safety of scouts first. These boys and men despite the abuse they experienced at the hands of their leaders are the true representatives of the principles outlined in the Boy Scout Law. They have shown tremendous bravery and given me hope that one day my son too can participate in a scouting program—one that is safe, inclusive and committed to preventing sexual abuse in our communities.

If you have had an unwanted or abusive sexual experience in your childhood or know a man who has, please visit www.1in6.org for information, support and/or resources.

 - By Emiliano Diaz de Leon

Emiliano C. Diaz de Leon is a Cultural Capacity Specialist for 1in6. Besides his work with 1in6, Emiliano has more than a decade of experience working for multiple domestic and sexual violence centers in Texas.  Since 2008, Emiliano has worked as a Primary Prevention Specialist for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) and since October 2011 providing technical assistance to the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Engaging Men Program grantees around the country as a Men’s Engagement Specialist. 

The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.

1in6's mission also includes serving family members, friends, and partners by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community.

Joyful Heart and 1in6 invite you to visit 1in6.org for info, options and hope, and to learn more about our partnership and Engaging Men initiative at men.joyfulheartfoundation.org.

The views expressed above are not necessarily those of the Joyful Heart Foundation or 1in6.