Body Safety Patch Program®

Iron on! 2″ Embroidered Patch.

Suggestions for Younger Girl Scouts to Earn The Body Safety Patch Program®

1. Healthy safety starts with knowing yourself and trusting your gut.

This video will help younger scouts understand physical boundaries and gives them clear, non-scary language to identify safe versus unsafe interactions.

3. The “Uh-Oh” Feeling

Discuss what a “gut feeling” or “intuition” is. How does your body feel when you are uncomfortable or startled? (e.g., butterflies in the stomach, racing heart, tenseness). Practice saying out loud: “My feelings are important, and I have the right to feel safe.”

4. The Personal Bubble

Use a hula hoop, a piece of yarn, or just your arms stretched out to visualize your “personal space bubble.” Discuss who is allowed inside that bubble, when they are allowed, and how it feels when someone enters it without asking.

5. Learn and practice how to handle unwanted situations.

• The Power Voice: Practice using a firm, clear “Power Voice.” Unwanted attention often thrives on compliance. Roleplay making direct eye contact, holding up a stop-hand gesture, and saying loudly and clearly: “No,” “Back up,” “I don’t want to talk to you,” or “Leave me alone.”  
• The “Broken Record” Technique: Sometimes people don’t listen the first time. Practice repeating the exact same firm boundary phrase over and over without arguing or making excuses.  
• Roleplay Scenarios: In pairs or a troop setting, safely roleplay real-world scenarios. Examples: A stranger at the park keeps asking you questions; an older kid at school won’t stop following you around; someone you met playing an online game keeps asking what town you live in. Practice stepping in to help a friend who looks uncomfortable (bystander intervention).  

6. Identify Your “Safety Squad”

With the help of a trusted adult, create a physical or digital index card listing at least three “Safety Squad” adults—trusted people you can contact immediately if you experience unwanted attention or harassment. Include their phone numbers and a secret “safety code word” you can text them if you need to be picked up immediately from a situation without explanation.  

Suggestions for Older Girl Scouts to Earn The Body Safety Patch Program®

As you get older, unsafe or uncomfortable situations become more complex. They aren’t always about a “bad stranger”—sometimes it’s a friend pushing a boundary, an older kid at school making subtle comments, or an online interaction that starts to feel off.

1. Watch Boundaries & Consent 101

This video covers physical, emotional, and digital boundaries, offering concrete tips on how to handle real-world peer pressure and unwanted attention.

2. Decoding Your “Gut Feeling” (The Science of Intuition)

A “gut feeling” or intuition isn’t mystical—it is actually a rapid, subconscious survival mechanism. Your brain is constantly processing your surroundings, body language, tone of voice, and past experiences. When it detects an anomaly or potential danger before your conscious mind even has time to analyze it, it triggers your nervous system.

When you are uncomfortable, startled, or unsafe, your body speaks to you through physical signals. Pay close attention if you experience:

• The Urge: An immediate, overwhelming desire to leave the room, hang up the phone, or block a user.  
• The Sudden Drop: A heavy, sinking feeling or “butterflies” in your stomach.
• The Spike: A suddenly racing heart, shallow breathing, or a wave of heat.
• The Freeze: Unexplained muscle tenseness, a tight jaw, or the hair standing up on the back of your neck.

Overriding the “Politeness Trap”

Teenagers—especially girls—are often socially conditioned to be polite, accommodate others, and avoid “making a scene” or appearing “rude.” Your safety and comfort will always be more important than someone else’s feelings. If someone makes you uncomfortable, you are under no obligation to be polite to them.

Types of Attention (Older Girls): Map out different types of attention: positive (compliments, friendly greetings), awkward (staring, over-friendliness from strangers), and negative/unwanted (catcalling, following, persistent messaging). Discuss where the line is crossed.  

4. Identify Your “Safety Squad”

Your Safety Squad is an active network of trusted people who back you up as you navigate greater independence—whether you are at a high school party, driving with friends, at a mall, or hanging out online.

Who to include: A parent or guardian, an aunt/uncle, an older adult sibling, a trusted troop leader, or a friend’s parent.

The Rule: They must agree ahead of time that if you call or text for help, they will come get you or assist you first, and talk about the details later.

Establish an “X-Plan” or Secret Code Word

Sometimes you need to get out of a situation immediately, but you can’t say why because the person making you uncomfortable is standing right next to you. Set up a secret code with your Safety Squad.

• The “X” Plan: Texting just the letter “X” or a specific, completely random emoji (like 🍕 or 🦖) to anyone on your squad means: “Call me in 60 seconds with an ’emergency’ and tell me I need to come home right now,” or “Come pick me up at my current location immediately, no questions asked.”
• The Location Drop: Practice how to quickly drop your live location digitally via maps or safety apps to your squad members if you are on the move.

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💡 Leader Note on Safety & Sensitivity

When facilitating this patch program, always emphasize that unwanted attention is never the victim’s fault, regardless of what they are wearing, where they are walking, or how they respond. Create a safe, non-judgmental space where girls feel secure sharing their experiences.