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AIS Youth Protection Policy Guidelines General These AIS Youth Protection
Policy Guidelines are designed to help protect our youth in a proactive manner
against verbal and sexual abuse (hereinafter “abuse”).
These guidelines are primarily for the protection of youth members.
However, they also protect our volunteer Youth Advisors from false
accusations of abuse. Applicability These guidelines apply to
youth activities carried on within the context of the AIS Youth Program at the
National level. Regions and the
affiliates are encouraged to adopt same or similar guidelines tailored to apply
to youth activities carried on at Regional and Affiliate (Club) levels. Implementation The National Youth Chair is
responsible for implementing these policies at National events and for
coordinating with the Regional Youth Chairs and affiliate Youth Advisors for the
adoption and implementation of same-or-similar guidelines at the Regional and
Affiliate levels. Definition of Abuse Abuse is defined as verbal
and sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and inappropriate sexual verbalization.
Youth is defined by the AIS as any person under the age of 19 years. Preventive Actions to
Protect Youth The AIS Youth Program
requires adult volunteers and Youth Advisors to provide good supervision,
maintain safe surroundings, and observe time-tested precautions to ensue a safe
and secure environment that eliminates and prevents opportunities for abuse. Touch Youth Adults and youth leaders
need to be mindful that an affectionate (“harmless”) gesture toward a youth
could be construed as inappropriate by the youth or by the youth’s parent. Complimenting Youth A supportive comment or
words of encouragement serve as positive reinforcement from an adult or youth
leader for a youth’s accomplishments, appearance, or good behavior.
The words should not be too personal in nature.
Compliments about the youth’s accomplishments and good behavior are
safer than those comments related to appearance. Gifting Youth Should an adult member or
Youth Advisor wish to give a reward or token gift to a youth, it should be
something that is given to other youth in the same circumstances.
Otherwise, the youth or their parent could misconstrue the gesture. Photos of Youth Members AIS policy prohibits the
posting on the Internet of photos of youth identified in any way, such as by
name, region, or club affiliation. The
publication of photos of youth, identified or not, is permitted in AIS and
related publications who distribution is limited primarily to AIS members. E-Mail Iris Exchanges AIS policy required the
control of access to AIS-sponsored iris information exchanges on the Internet
among youth by the issuance of passwords. Leadership:
A Minimum of Two Adults Two adult volunteers are
recommended for all programs, events, and activities.
The adult in charge of the event shall by a Youth Advisor as established
by the AIS National Youth Chair or Regional Youth Chair. In general, one-on-one
interactions should occur in full public view.
This includes between youth and adults or among youth.
If personal discussions are needed, the discussions should be conducted
in an area that is in unobstructed view of other adults and youth. When transporting youth, if
two adults cannot be present in the vehicle, the alternative minimum suggested
is one adult and two or more youth members.
An adult should not be alone with a youth without advance written
parental consent. Supervision of Youth The AIS youth member is the
responsibility of the AIS volunteer Youth Advisor or delegate in charge of the
meeting or event until a parent/guardian or responsible adult designated by the
parent/guardian arrives. Sleeping Facilities There shall be separate
sleeping facilities for each gender. Only
adults of the same gender as the youth may supervise youth in the sleeping and
restroom areas of an event. No single youth is permitted
to sleep in the room of an adult other than his/her own parent or guardian. Restrooms Separate shower and bathroom
facilities shall be provided for mixed-gender groups.
When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and
female use shall be scheduled and posted. Respect for an
Individual’s Privacy Adult leaders shall respect
the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes, and intrude
only to the extent that health and safety require.
Adults shall protect their own privacy in similar situations. Youth Leader Training and
Supervision Youth Advisors will be
instructed by the Regional Youth Chair as to what constitutes appropriate
interactions during AIS events and activities.
Adults should monitor adherence to these guidelines by teen leaders. Reporting Suspected
Sexual Abuse The primary reason for
reporting sexual abuse is to protect the youth from further abuse.
In addition to protecting the youth, reporting abuse can also provide
help for the suspected abuser. Who Must Report AIS Youth Advisors or
delegates shall assume the primary responsibility for reporting abuse as may
arise within the Youth Program. When to Report A Youth Advisor or delegate
is required to report abuse if s/he has knowledge of, or observes a youth who
s/he knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of abuse.
Therefore, as soon as an adult Youth Advisor has knowledge of, or
observes a child who s/he knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of
sexual abuse, that person must make a report to local child protective services
or cognizant law enforcement authorities. No person may impede or
inhibit the reporting duties. In
addition, no person making such a report shall be subject to any sanction for
making the report. Any person who
violates the rights of an individual to report may be guild of an infractions
punishable by fine. |