Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange 7770 6/06 Student Protection Policy Protecting You, Rotary, and Our Students

Rotary District 7770Rotary District 7770Youth ExchangeYouth Exchange

7770 6/06

StudentStudent Protection Protection

PolicyPolicy

Protecting You, Rotary, and Our StudentsProtecting You, Rotary, and Our Students

Rotary District 7770 Youth ExchangeRotary District 7770 Youth Exchange

7770 6/06

Rotary District 7770Rotary District 7770

is committed to creating and maintaining the is committed to creating and maintaining the

safest possible environment for all our Youth safest possible environment for all our Youth

Exchange Students, both inbound and Exchange Students, both inbound and

outbound. outbound.

Our MissionOur Mission


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Recognizing that all young people have the right to Recognizing that all young people have the right to freedom from harassment & abuse.freedom from harassment & abuse.

Ensuring that all our staff and volunteers are carefully Ensuring that all our staff and volunteers are carefully selected, trained and accept responsibility for helping selected, trained and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of childrento prevent the abuse of children

Allegations of harassment and/or abuse, and by Allegations of harassment and/or abuse, and by providing adults and young people with the opportunity providing adults and young people with the opportunity to voice any concern they may have.to voice any concern they may have.


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Ensuring that appropriate contacts are made available Ensuring that appropriate contacts are made available to parents, children, host families and outside agencies. to parents, children, host families and outside agencies.

Ensuring that access to confidential information is Ensuring that access to confidential information is restricted.restricted.

Reviewing the effectiveness of the Student Protection Reviewing the effectiveness of the Student Protection Policy and activities periodically.Policy and activities periodically.


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Student Protection PolicyStudent Protection Policy

Our Role:Our Role:

• Create and maintain the safest possible environment Create and maintain the safest possible environment for all participantsfor all participants

• Safeguard welfare and prevent physical, sexual, Safeguard welfare and prevent physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse of exchange studentsemotional or financial abuse of exchange students

• Provide the means to address all concerns and Provide the means to address all concerns and indications of harassment or abuseindications of harassment or abuse


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YE Volunteer GuidanceYE Volunteer Guidance

What You Need to KnowWhat You Need to Know

• DefinitionsDefinitions

• Your FunctionsYour Functions

• Code of EthicsCode of Ethics

• Reporting ProceduresReporting Procedures

• Follow-upFollow-up

• Rotary Issues and PrivacyRotary Issues and Privacy


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DefinitionsDefinitions

Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse

• Fondling , Masturbation, Oral sex, IntercourseFondling , Masturbation, Oral sex, Intercourse

• Viewing pornographic materialsViewing pornographic materials

• Taking part in making pornographic materialsTaking part in making pornographic materials

Physical AbusePhysical Abuse

• Hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burningHitting, shaking, squeezing, biting or burning

• Excessive sports trainingExcessive sports training


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NeglectNeglect

• Failure to meet basic physical needsFailure to meet basic physical needs

• Constantly leave alone or unsupervisedConstantly leave alone or unsupervised

• Failure or refusal to give affection or attentionFailure or refusal to give affection or attention

• Left in an unsafe “at risk” environment Left in an unsafe “at risk” environment


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Emotional AbuseEmotional Abuse

• Persistent lack of love and affectionPersistent lack of love and affection

• Frequent shoutingFrequent shouting

• TauntingTaunting

• Over-protectionOver-protection

• Constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to Constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to higher expectationsperform to higher expectations

Financial AbuseFinancial Abuse

• Misappropriation of student’s fundsMisappropriation of student’s funds

• Overt illegal use of funds by other than studentOvert illegal use of funds by other than student


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District Chair FunctionsDistrict Chair Functions

Oversee Background Checks on all district and club Oversee Background Checks on all district and club level Youth Exchange volunteerslevel Youth Exchange volunteers

Report all allegations in accordance with District policyReport all allegations in accordance with District policy

Notify all entities (District, Club, Students, Host Notify all entities (District, Club, Students, Host families) of requirements and assure they know and families) of requirements and assure they know and understand the requirementsunderstand the requirements

Assure organizational compliance with requirementsAssure organizational compliance with requirements

Document complianceDocument compliance

Apply to RI for certificationApply to RI for certification


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District Committee FunctionsDistrict Committee Functions

Confirm that your Inbound and Outbound students are Confirm that your Inbound and Outbound students are provided a copy of District Student Protection materialsprovided a copy of District Student Protection materials

Assure that your students receive harassment/abuse Assure that your students receive harassment/abuse trainingtraining

Maintain consistent monthly contact with your Maintain consistent monthly contact with your students, keeping in mind warning signs of a problemstudents, keeping in mind warning signs of a problem

In the case of an allegation of criminal conduct, notify In the case of an allegation of criminal conduct, notify the police immediatelythe police immediately


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Club YEO FunctionsClub YEO Functions

Club Youth Exchange Officer is responsible for Club Youth Exchange Officer is responsible for overseeing YE Program in their club; knowing and overseeing YE Program in their club; knowing and understanding YE policies and proceduresunderstanding YE policies and procedures

Responsible to keep club officers and Board of Responsible to keep club officers and Board of Directors informed of all program and student activitiesDirectors informed of all program and student activities

Assure that all persons involved with the program Assure that all persons involved with the program including but not limited to YE committee, spouses, including but not limited to YE committee, spouses, host families, counselors and others with unsupervised host families, counselors and others with unsupervised access to students complete affidavit and agree to access to students complete affidavit and agree to undergo background checks undergo background checks


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Submit Affidavit and agreement to Background check to Submit Affidavit and agreement to Background check to inbound coordinatorsinbound coordinators

Identify and Process Host Families & Implement YE Identify and Process Host Families & Implement YE ProgramProgram

• Review Host Family Application affidavitsReview Host Family Application affidavits

• Conduct In-home interviewsConduct In-home interviews

• Check references provided & document findingsCheck references provided & document findings

• Provide information for Criminal Background & Provide information for Criminal Background & Abuse checks to inbound coordinators – Jay Cook or Abuse checks to inbound coordinators – Jay Cook or Alison MeeksAlison Meeks


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Appoint, train & oversee club counselor for student. Appoint, train & oversee club counselor for student. COUNSELOR SHOULD BE SAME SEX AS STUDENT!COUNSELOR SHOULD BE SAME SEX AS STUDENT!

Complete Guarantee Form & other documentation in Complete Guarantee Form & other documentation in timely mannertimely manner

Assure Host Families receive training and send training Assure Host Families receive training and send training certification for Host Families to inbound coordinatorscertification for Host Families to inbound coordinators

Maintain monthly contact with Student, Host Family & Maintain monthly contact with Student, Host Family & SchoolSchool

If/when notified of abuse allegation, follow procedures If/when notified of abuse allegation, follow procedures


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Volunteer Code of EthicsVolunteer Code of Ethics

DO:DO:

• Treat students with respect - be aware of your tone of Treat students with respect - be aware of your tone of voice & manner and their reactionsvoice & manner and their reactions

• Touch and hug students in a way that is not Touch and hug students in a way that is not intrusive/disturbing to them or observersintrusive/disturbing to them or observers

• Control who they hang around withControl who they hang around with

• Communicate with the police and the District if there Communicate with the police and the District if there are any criminal allegations or suspicions or if you are any criminal allegations or suspicions or if you have questionshave questions


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Volunteer Code of EthicsVolunteer Code of Ethics

DO NOT:DO NOT:

• Engage in rough physical games including horseplayEngage in rough physical games including horseplay

• Use physical force in any way, especially as a form of Use physical force in any way, especially as a form of punishmentpunishment

• Touch an exchange student in any way that could be Touch an exchange student in any way that could be interpreted as intrusive or sexualinterpreted as intrusive or sexual

• Make sexually suggestive comments, even as a jokeMake sexually suggestive comments, even as a joke

• Spend excessive time alone with a student, this may Spend excessive time alone with a student, this may lead to misunderstandinglead to misunderstanding


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Allegation ReportsAllegation Reports

What to do if your exchange student tells you of Harassment What to do if your exchange student tells you of Harassment and/or Abuse:and/or Abuse:

• Listen attentively & let him/her know it was right to tell Listen attentively & let him/her know it was right to tell youyou

• Assure him/her that they are not to blameAssure him/her that they are not to blame

• Encourage student to share with you what happened and Encourage student to share with you what happened and who was involvedwho was involved

• Make detailed notes including date & timeMake detailed notes including date & time

• Don’t promise to keep secrets. Explain the necessity of Don’t promise to keep secrets. Explain the necessity of informing the police and the District Chairpersoninforming the police and the District Chairperson


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Responsibilities of District ChairResponsibilities of District Chair

Notify District Governor & keep him/her informedNotify District Governor & keep him/her informed

Notify Host Club YEO/Counselor/PresidentNotify Host Club YEO/Counselor/President

Notify Country ContactNotify Country Contact

Determine who will contact students parents & sponsor Determine who will contact students parents & sponsor Rotary DistrictRotary District

Assure District notification to RI and Dept of State Assure District notification to RI and Dept of State within 72 hours as appropriatewithin 72 hours as appropriate

Emphasize confidentiality of information. Do not Emphasize confidentiality of information. Do not speculate or commentspeculate or comment


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Follow-upFollow-up

Respond to needs of student and support studentRespond to needs of student and support student

Assure proper authorities are contactedAssure proper authorities are contacted

Offer student independent non-Rotarian counselingOffer student independent non-Rotarian counseling

Assure students parents or legal guardian have been notifiedAssure students parents or legal guardian have been notified

Provide student option of staying or going home once Provide student option of staying or going home once stabilizedstabilized

Remove abuser from all contact with victim and other Remove abuser from all contact with victim and other studentsstudents

Cooperate with police involved in investigationCooperate with police involved in investigation


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Rotary Issues & PrivacyRotary Issues & Privacy

Most important concern is the victimMost important concern is the victim

Rotarians should not speculate, make editorial Rotarians should not speculate, make editorial comments to media or others or offer personal comments to media or others or offer personal opinions. “No Comment” is appropriate.opinions. “No Comment” is appropriate.

Members should be cautioned about commenting on Members should be cautioned about commenting on the situation and possibilities of slander or libel claimsthe situation and possibilities of slander or libel claims

If Rotarian is accused – remove Rotarian from all If Rotarian is accused – remove Rotarian from all possible contact with victim and other youthpossible contact with victim and other youth


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SummarySummary

Always remember - We are legally and morally Always remember - We are legally and morally responsible for the well being of other parents’ childrenresponsible for the well being of other parents’ children

With all of us working together we can keep our With all of us working together we can keep our exchange students safe and make this a meaningful exchange students safe and make this a meaningful and happy exchange experience for all of usand happy exchange experience for all of us


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Student Bill of RightsStudent Bill of Rights

When feeling threatened, you have the right to:When feeling threatened, you have the right to:• Trust your instincts or feelingsTrust your instincts or feelings

• Expect privacyExpect privacy

• SAY NOSAY NO to unwanted touching or affection to unwanted touching or affection

• SAY NOSAY NO to an adult’s inappropriate demands or requests to an adult’s inappropriate demands or requests

• Withhold information that could jeopardize your safetyWithhold information that could jeopardize your safety

• Refuse giftsRefuse gifts

• Run, scream, and make a sceneRun, scream, and make a scene

• Physically fight off unwanted advancesPhysically fight off unwanted advances

• Ask for helpAsk for help

• Report any situation in which you feel threatened to your Host Club Report any situation in which you feel threatened to your Host Club Counselor immediately.Counselor immediately.


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Safety Guidelines for StudentsSafety Guidelines for Students

If you have a problem or are worried about something, If you have a problem or are worried about something, always tell someone you trust about it, such as your always tell someone you trust about it, such as your host parent, host club counselor or host club YEO. host parent, host club counselor or host club YEO. Don’t suffer in silence!Don’t suffer in silence!

If someone does or says something that bothers you, If someone does or says something that bothers you, tell them that you do not want them to do it again.tell them that you do not want them to do it again.


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Always pack your own suitcase and never carry items Always pack your own suitcase and never carry items abroad for others.abroad for others.

When you go out, plan what you would do and where When you go out, plan what you would do and where you would go if you got lost or had a problem – a shop, you would go if you got lost or had a problem – a shop, restaurant, police station or library.restaurant, police station or library.


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Before you leave your home, make sure that you have Before you leave your home, make sure that you have your ID card.your ID card.

Always tell someone where you are going and when Always tell someone where you are going and when you will be home. Be sure to call your host parents if you will be home. Be sure to call your host parents if your plans change while you are away from home.your plans change while you are away from home.

If you are out at night in a city, stay in places with If you are out at night in a city, stay in places with streetlights. Wherever you are, make sure that you don’t streetlights. Wherever you are, make sure that you don’t get separated from your friends.get separated from your friends.


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Make sure you know who is coming to pick you up. Make sure you know who is coming to pick you up. Never get into a car with someone you don’t know.Never get into a car with someone you don’t know.

If you are on a bus or train, and someone makes you If you are on a bus or train, and someone makes you feel uncomfortable, move to a seat near the driver.feel uncomfortable, move to a seat near the driver.

Dress and behave sensibly and responsiblyDress and behave sensibly and responsibly

Be sensitive to local codes and customs.Be sensitive to local codes and customs.

Think things through carefully before you act and do Think things through carefully before you act and do not take unnecessary risks.not take unnecessary risks.


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If you do get lost or separated, follow your plan – or go If you do get lost or separated, follow your plan – or go to a shop or place where you will be seen by lots of to a shop or place where you will be seen by lots of people to ask directions.people to ask directions.

If someone you don’t know talks to you in a way that If someone you don’t know talks to you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, walk away.makes you feel uncomfortable, walk away.

Keep your host family’s address and telephone number Keep your host family’s address and telephone number with you at all times.with you at all times.


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Always keep enough money with you to make a phone Always keep enough money with you to make a phone call.call.

Always arrange for someone to pick you up; don’t go Always arrange for someone to pick you up; don’t go home alone.home alone.


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What You Can ExpectWhat You Can Expect

We will listen attentively & assure you it was right to tell We will listen attentively & assure you it was right to tell someonesomeone

We will stay calm & make sure you feel safeWe will stay calm & make sure you feel safe

We will explain that we have to tell someone elseWe will explain that we have to tell someone else

We will only ask questions to establish what & who and We will only ask questions to establish what & who and will not jump to conclusions or promise to take a will not jump to conclusions or promise to take a specific action until the situation is thoroughly specific action until the situation is thoroughly investigatedinvestigated

We will take detailed notes of what you say, dates and We will take detailed notes of what you say, dates and timestimes


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What You Can ExpectWhat You Can Expect

Your safety will be our primary concern Your safety will be our primary concern

Be assured you that you are not making things worse - Be assured you that you are not making things worse - few things are worse than allowing abuse to continuefew things are worse than allowing abuse to continue

DO NOTDO NOT keep abuse a secret!! If something happens to keep abuse a secret!! If something happens to you or someone else, it should be reported to a you or someone else, it should be reported to a responsible adult to protect you responsible adult to protect you andand others. others.

Rotary District 7770Rotary District 7770Youth ExchangeYouth Exchange

7770 6/06

Protecting You, Rotary, and Our StudentsProtecting You, Rotary, and Our Students

StudentStudent Protection Protection

PolicyPolicy

Documents

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange 7770 6/06 Student Protection Policy Protecting You, Rotary, and Our Students