Rotary Club of Sandpoint Youth Protection Policies and Committee Overview
Rotary International and District 5080 emphasize the importance of youth protection through strict policies and procedures. The Youth Protection Committee in the Rotary Club of Sandpoint plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of young participants in Rotary activities. Their responsibilities include oversight, policy development, training, and compliance evaluation. A zero-tolerance policy is enforced to prevent abuse and harassment, involving vetting processes for volunteers. Rotary mandates thorough vetting for all volunteers working with youth, except for casual contacts in youth programs.
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District 5080 Rotary Club of Sandpoint Youth Protection In-service
Rotary International takes Youth Protection Seriously RI has a code of conduct, A Youth Protection Policy, All districts must have its own Youth Protection Policy (YPP) All Rotary Clubs engaged in youth programs must adopt the district YPP, Includes a reporting system to RI should an event occur.
Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotarians, Rotarians spouses, and partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people they come into contact with and protect them from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Adopted November 2006 (Rotary Code of Policies)
Rotary Club of Sandpoint Youth Protection Committee (YPC) David Keyes Club President Responsible for all Youth Activities Donna Lorenz YPC Chair :Youth Protection Officer/ Youth Exchange Officer Debbie Ford YPC member/ Youth Service Chair Pierce Smith YPC member/Interact SPH Laison/Youth Exchange Asst. Area Coordinator Dan Murphy- YPC member/Youth Exchange Counselor Amy Bean YPC member/Youth Exchange Counselor Amy Clemmons YPC member/Youth Exchange Counselor John Hendricks YPC member/Youth Exchange Counselor
Youth Protection Committee Responsibility Provide oversight to the Club program activities. Identify and develop new or modified youth protection policies and procedures. Identify, develop and facilitate youth protection policy training for Club participants Evaluate Club youth protection policy compliance with District 5080 and Rotary International youth protection policy requirements Solicit advice from community professionals as required to advise the Youth Protection Committee.
Zero tolerance policy The active measures within the YPP are intended to prevent youth abuse and harassment Vetting Process Volunteer agreement form Training and orientation Background checks Reference checks Personal interview
Rotary International Mandates: Rotary volunteers that work with youth must be vetted Youth Exchange Volunteers Youth Program Volunteers Exception is Casual contact with a youth for Youth Program Volunteers
Types of Contact with Youth Contact that requires vetting Repetitive contact with youth under the age of 18 for example: Driving a youth alone in a car Counselors with repeated contact Team leader or chaperone for activities that require overnight stays All Youth Exchange Volunteers Youth Exchange Host Families Casual Contact that does not require vetting Providing a lecture in a class/seminar Support volunteer serving food or setting/helping with logistics School based activity i.e. where volunteer has been vetted by the school.
Sexual Abuse and Harassment Perpetrators of sexual abuse and harassment are responsible for their behavior and for its consequences. Can training change the behavior of abusers/offenders? Yes, increasing awareness can reduce the incidence of sexual abuse and harassment in Rotary youth programs.
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Harassment Sexual Abuse: Refers to engaging in implicit/ explicit sexual acts with a youth regardless of gender or age. Sexual Harassment: Consists of unwelcome visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can occur when a person in authority subjects a youth to sexual conduct that creates an offensive, hostile, or intimidating environment
Sexual Abuse/Harassment may take many forms Non Verbal Visual Physical This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and/or Harassment
Signs and symptoms of abuse and/or harassment Extreme activity or withdrawal Displays of low self-esteem Fear, particularly toward certain individuals Declining school performance Avoidance of people, places, and things Involvement with drugs or alcohol Aggressive/risk-taking behavior or antisocial behavior
Facts . Young people often fail to report sexual abuse: This is especially true in Youth Exchange Many victims don t report until they are adults. Child abuse is often underreported. Fewer than 4% of sexual abuse allegations prove to be false. Children tend to minimize and deny abuse. Offenders seek opportunities for access to youth. - Grooming One in ten young people will be affected at sometime. Two-thirds of all sexual abuse happens to children under 18. Nearly 90% of the time the student knows the abuser. In most countries, sexual assault is the most under-reported crime.
Avoiding Offensive Behavior Respect everyone around you. Think before acting. Imagine how other people might be feeling. Be sensitive to diverse perspectives, cultural differences and language variations. Exercise common courtesy and respect. Think twice before making a joke.
Your intent is not relevant ... Only your actions are meaningful I didn t mean anything by it is not a valid defense
Different Perspectives Perspectives can be influenced by: Gender Country of origin Culture Age Religion Personal Values These can affect how an individual feels about such things as: Nudity Physical Touch Personal Space (hugging) Eye Contact (winking)
Discriminatory Harassment Any harassment based on discrimination, including but not limited to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability is unacceptable in Rotary programs
Report of Harassment or Abuse If you are the first adult volunteer to whom a student comes with a report of abuse or harassment, follow these guidelines: Ensure the safety and well-being of the youth. Listen attentively and stay calm. Assure privacy but not confidentiality. Get the facts, but don't interrogate. Be non-judgmental and reassure the youth. Keep a written record of the conversation. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to contact the alleged offender. Meet privately with Club President or YPO
Scenario Based Trainings Sample Scenarios Scenario 1: Dawn (Hostile Environment/Sexual Harassment) (All Clubs) Dawn, your Student of the Month (Scholarship Recipient) is in attendance at a Rotary club meeting to receive her certificate and award. One of the Rotarians at the table where you and Dawn are sitting starts to tell a risqu joke. Scenario 2: Chris (Casual Contact vs Frequent Contact) (Interact, Youth Exchange) Chris has volunteered to drive your Club s Interact President, Youth Exchange Student to all club meetings during the year that he/she is here. Is this allowed? What screening is required? Should she drive the student by herself? Is it OK if it s a student of the same sex? RYE Scenario 3: Host Dad You receive a phone call from a volunteer seeking your advice on a situation involving a female Youth Exchange student. She reported that her host father showers with the door open and then walks around the house with no clothes on. A week ago, her host father left two pornographic magazines next to her bed. The volunteer believed her, but he had no idea what to do. He sent the girl home to her host family and called you.
