Clergy and Educator Abuse Survivors Empowered!	Prevention

Child Protection

Suggestions for Staff and Volunteers Who Work With Children and Youth

The following guidelines are provided to create an awareness of vulnerability to civil and criminal liability as well as to instill the need to protect children.

DO

• Meet in public places when meeting with minors.
• Always have another adult when counseling minors.
• Advise other staff members of activities away from the group: where, when and with whom you meet.
• Always have two adults taking younger children to the bathroom.
• Always have two adults present when changing children’s clothing.
• Keep physical contact public and minimal. Simple "hello" hugs are permissible, for example.
• Always have a minimum of two adults on field trips, especially overnight trips.
• Keep groups together, perhaps using a buddy system.
• Be gender sensitive. Little girls may do better with female staff and boys with male staff. If there is a mixed group it is good to have both female and male staff members.
• Be willing to be cheerfully accountable to parents and staff members.

DON’T

• Meet one to one with minors behind closed doors.
• Never have secret meetings with minors.
• Meet alone with minors, especially with the opposite sex.
• Check a minor for injuries under clothing without another adult present except in serious emergencies.
• Exchange kisses with children or youth.
• Allow older children to take younger children to the bathroom.
• Transport a child or youth by yourself except for real emergencies.