Sex Abuse on Campus: Practical Steps for executing your program’s child sex abuse prevention plan
About Praesidium “To help you protect those in your care from abuse and to help preserve trust in your organization.” Two decades of experience More than 4,000 clients Completed thousands of root cause analyses Developed comprehensive abuse risk management model Full range of risk management solutions National safety partner with: YMCA of the USA, BGCA of America, USA Swimming (Olympics NGB), Church Pension Group (covering the Episcopal community), CWLA, and CMSM (Conference of Major Superiors of Men)
What We Believe Abuse can be prevented Everyone is responsible for preventing abuse Abuse prevention requires a commitment to quality Commitment starts at the top
The Praesidium Safety Equation™
Scope of the Problem 1 in 4 girls / 1 in 6 boys 10% of school children 300% increase in child-to-child abuse 80% of abuse does not get reported Frequency in higher education unknown Legislature changes facilitate litigation
Effects of Abuse on Victims Psychological Educational Behavioral Interpersonal Sexual
Effects of Abuse on Organizations Threat to the Mission Awards from $3,000 to Multi-Millions Plaintiffs Prevail in Two-Thirds of Cases Jeopardizes Insurability Reputational Damage
Common Claims in Litigation Negligent Screening Negligent Training Negligent Supervision Negligent Retention
How Offenders Operate on Campus Types of offenders Preferential Situational Indiscriminate Conditions necessary to offend Access Privacy Control
Praesidium’s Six Step Approach Step 1. Establish policies for programs involving minors. Step 2. Develop a screening process designed to screen out offenders. Step 3. Provide training with compliance tracking. Step 4. Supervise for Safety. Step 5. Implement system for reporting and responding.
Step 1. Establish policies for programs involving minors. Define boundaries Create institutional memory Communicate effectively
Step 2: Develop a screening process designed to screen out offenders. Screen based on position access Encourage applicants to self select out Assess for abuse risk
Step 3. Provide training with compliance tracking. The right content – Preventative vs. reactive – Actionable – Program specific Easy to access and use Targets the right people the right way (blended learning) – In-person for leadership – In-person and online training for program directors and targeted programs/groups – Online training for staff, students and volunteers Easy to verify compliance
Step 4. Supervise for Safety. Monitoring minors Supervising staff Managing high-risk situations
Step 5. Implement system for reporting and responding. Develop written response procedures Activate response procedures and initiate response communications Remove barriers to reporting
Questions You Should be Asking Do you have written polices that clearly define boundaries? Does your screening process assess for abuse risk? Do you require all staff to complete training that is preventative not just reactive? Do you have specific procedures for managing high-risk activities related to abuse? Do you have a written procedure for responding to suspicious behaviors that do not raise to the level of abuse?
Praesidium Resources Online Program Self Assessment Onsite Risk Assessment Minors on Campus Survey Model Youth Protection Policies Armatus® Online Training On-site Training Confidential Reporting Helpline Consultation Services and Crisis Management
Contact Us Aaron Lundberg, LMSW VP of Account Services/COO Candace Collins, JD Safety Analyst (817)