Abuse, Neglect & Harassment Protocol District 7090

Why are we doing this? Rotarians help vulnerable people: Rotarians help vulnerable people: YouthYouth ChildrenChildren ElderlyElderly DisabledDisabled Rotarians have credibility (and want to keep it!) Rotarians have credibility (and want to keep it!) Our duty includes protection of those we serve Our duty includes protection of those we serve RI requires it RI requires it

Why – simplified: Prevention Prevention Liability reduction Liability reduction

Why Now? Volunteers are doing more Volunteers are doing more Increased front-line interaction with vulnerable people Increased front-line interaction with vulnerable people Increased litigation/claims Increased litigation/claims Rising insurance costs Rising insurance costs Expanded liability decisions by courts Expanded liability decisions by courts

5 Myths: 1.No one in our club would do anything to hurt someone 2.If I don’t know about it, I’m not responsible 3.We can’t control the volunteers, so we can’t be responsible for them

4. We do so much in the community, no one would ever sue us 5.Insurance will cover us

Policy: Safeguard the welfare of those we serve during their contacts with us. Safeguard the welfare of those we serve during their contacts with us. Prevent physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, harassment & neglect Prevent physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, harassment & neglect Be consistent with the law Be consistent with the law

The Protocol is about: Identifying risks Identifying risks Evaluating risks Evaluating risks Controlling risks Controlling risks

Ask: What is the level of risk? (low/high/medium) What is the level of risk? (low/high/medium) Is the risk worth taking? Is the risk worth taking? Can the risk be minimized? Can the risk be minimized? (precautions taken etc.) Look at the “Risk Assessment Chart”

District Mandate: Ensure participants in District Programmes (including Rotarians, but especially vulnerable groups) are protected by: Ensure participants in District Programmes (including Rotarians, but especially vulnerable groups) are protected by: Screening all volunteers etc.Screening all volunteers etc. Reporting/investigating allegationsReporting/investigating allegations

District Programs: Youth Exchange Youth Exchange RYLA RYLA Slapshot Slapshot Interact Interact Rotaract Rotaract Earlyact Earlyact Group Study Exchange Group Study Exchange Foundation Scholarships Foundation Scholarships

Club Programs: Youth activities: Rotary Medals, essay contests, Junior Achievement, Camp Enterprise, etc. Youth activities: Rotary Medals, essay contests, Junior Achievement, Camp Enterprise, etc. Seniors activities & events Seniors activities & events Disabled children/adults activities Disabled children/adults activities Feed the Hungry programs Feed the Hungry programs Reading to children (literacy) projects Reading to children (literacy) projects Etc, etc. Etc, etc.

Screening: Who? All volunteers in District Programs involving vulnerable people All volunteers in District Programs involving vulnerable people Adults over 18 in home of host family Adults over 18 in home of host family

Screening: How? Volunteer Assessment Form must be completed and retained Volunteer Assessment Form must be completed and retained Criminal record checks where required (e.g. youth exchange) or recommended Criminal record checks where required (e.g. youth exchange) or recommended

Club-based Policy District recommends adoption of consistent policy District recommends adoption of consistent policy Local recognition of potential negative consequences Local recognition of potential negative consequences Ensure safety/well-being of participants Ensure safety/well-being of participants

Establish Club Counsellor position Establish Club Counsellor position Complete & maintain screening formsComplete & maintain screening forms Check referencesCheck references Review criminal record checksReview criminal record checks Be point person for complaintsBe point person for complaints

District Harassment & Abuse Prevention Committee First point of contact* for Clubs if complaint occurs First point of contact* for Clubs if complaint occurs Source of information, advice, training if needed Source of information, advice, training if needed *subject to local police reporting

We need to: Understand “why” have a Protocol Understand “why” have a Protocol Adopt and implement Adopt and implement Follow-up and maintain Follow-up and maintain = make it part of what we do and who we are