Practical Approaches for Engaging Youth Serving Organizations and Schools in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Why Do Youth-Serving Organizations (YSOs) Need Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Policies?

Before Beginning: Key Questions What is the organization’s mission and its activities? Special vulnerabilities of children served? Insurance requirements? State and national laws? Organization’s available resources? How do you balance caution and caring?

Balancing Caution and Caring

The Strategies 1. Assess 2. Educate 3. Screen 4. Report 5. Develop Codes of Conduct 6. Modify Physical Spaces

Staff Review Policies Strengths Plan Vulnerabilities Conduct Assessment

Educate Assess the organization to determine: –Who needs to be trained –When and how often Establish clear goals Create a plan –Incorporate YSO’s policies; provide continuing education credits Be sensitive to survivor needs/experiences

Key Education Points Definition, prevalence, and impact of abuse Reasons most children don’t report Adult behavioral signs that might indicate risk Physical and behavior signs that might indicate a child has been abused and developmentally expected behaviors Guidelines for discussing appropriate touch Reporting suspected abuse and resources

Help Educate Others Educate parents of the children/youth served Invite speakers to address your Board Include articles on safety in agency newsletter Post your safety policies on agency website Identify resources for staff who are survivors Inform funders about your safety policies

Screening

Basic Screening Written application Face-to-face interview Reference checks Criminal background check

Basic Screening PLUS Discuss organization’s strict reporting policies Conduct a general internet search or search of local sex offender registry Develop brief video about organization and its commitment to child sexual abuse prevention Ask applicant directly about sexual contact with a child or teen

Basic Screening: Reasons to Disqualify History of violence or sexually abusive behaviors Termination from previous positions due to misconduct with a child Conviction or pending investigation for a crime involving children

Report and Respond to Suspected Abuse

Create an Internal Reporting Policy Overview of the law Detail the organizational procedures Establish a process for recording incidents or concerns Describe how staff will be trained Staff document in writing understanding of policy

7 Steps to Handle Allegations 1.Provide a caring response to everyone involved 2.Document the allegation and responses 3.Notify the parents of the victim, and immediately take steps to ensure the child’s safety 4.Notify CPS or law enforcement 5.Treat accused with dignity but stop contact with youth 6.Notify the organization’s board of directors, attorney and insurer 7.Designate spokesperson to make any announcements

Implement the Policies You Have

Code of Conduct A code of conduct is a set of standards for age-appropriate, healthy interactions between adults, adults and youth, and between youth. It delineates the appropriate boundaries that adults maintain in their interactions with children and adults, based on the mission and purpose of the organization.

Code of Conduct ~ Elements  Unique mission, values, program activities  Definition of sexual misconduct & abuse  Acceptable and unacceptable behaviors of adults that cross boundaries  Age-appropriate behaviors of children  Policies that balance supervision and privacy in bathrooms, showers and higher risk situations (mentoring, tutoring, children with disabilities)\  Notify and train staff on code

Alternative to “No Touch” Policy Define different types of touch: Ritual Athletic Nurturing Punishing Intimacy-Evoking Sexual

Assess and Modify Physical Spaces

What to look for… Visibility

What to look for… Monitoring Access

What to look for… Security

To Recap…  Assess organization  Educate staff and volunteers  Safety screen new applicants  Know the reporting process  Develop code of conduct  Assess & modify physical spaces

Strengthen what you have – Commit to what you need Begin with your strengths Ensure that the basics are covered Consider other needed policies Implement the changes you want Assess where you are in one year!

The Enough Abuse Campaign Links to resources can be found at and Handouts with resource information are available in your packet. Resources 53

Additional Resources Prevention Child Sexual Abuse in Youth Serving Organizations The Season of Hope: A Risk Management Guide for Youth Serving Nonprofits Commit to Kids Enough Abuse Campaign