1) RI and local districts have created extensive youth protection policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for youth, including volunteer screening, training, and incident response plans. 2) Volunteers are required to undergo background checks, training, and sign affidavits agreeing to codes of conduct. 3) District 5360's policy outlines requirements for volunteers, including applications, background checks, and training to protect youth in Rotary programs.

1. Youth Protection
We’re in it Together!
Rick Istead D5360, Canada
Sofia Sotomayor D4100, Mexico

2. Youth Protection – We’re in it Together!
Policy
Readiness
Education
Training
Incident Response
Resources

3. Youth Protection – RI Code of Policy
Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth
Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible
environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians,
Rotarians’ spouses and partners and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of
their ability the welfare of, and to prevent the harassment and physical, sexual, or
emotional abuse of, children and young people with whom they come into contact.
RI Code of Policies 2.100.1

4. Youth Protection – RI Code of Policy
Volunteer Selection and Screening
Careful selection of all individuals involved in Youth Exchange should be of
paramount concern and be done with the utmost care and consideration.
All adults (Rotarians and non-Rotarians) involved in the Youth Exchange program,
including but not limited to committee members, host families, club counsellors,
and others, must be interviewed to determine suitability to work with youth,
complete and sign a Youth Volunteer Agreement and agree to undergo background
checks, including law enforcement public record and a reference check.
RI Code of Policies 41.060.16

5. Youth Protection – RI Code of Policy
Volunteer Selection and Screening
The host club or district must conscientiously screen and select host families on the
basis of a written application, background checks for all adults in the home,
including law enforcement public record checks and reference checks, personal
interview and home visits.
RI Code of Policies 41.060.16

6. Youth Protection – RI Code of Policy
Volunteer Training
All adults (Rotarian and non-Rotarians) involved in the program, including but not
limited to committee members, host families, club counsellors and others must
receive training that includes information on program administration and rules and
abuse and harassment awareness and prevention.
RI Code of Policies 41.060.17

7.  RI recognizes that all young people have the right to live free from
harrassment, bullying and abuse.
 It ensures that RI has created and implemented specific plans and
procedures to secure the well being of all young people participating in
our programs.
 It ensures that all Rotarians and volunteers involved in youth activities,
are trained and carefully selected.
 It confirms Rotary International’s commitment to provide a safe
environment to youth.
Youth Protection – What does it all mean?

8.  1) More than half of all youth allegations of sexual abuse
turn out to be false
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

9.  2) While sexual abuse is a serious issue, it is less likely in
Rotary Youth Programs than in any other youth programs
around the world.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

10. Youth Service Volunteers
Any adult involved with any of Rotary’s Youth Service Programs who has direct
interactions either supervised or unsupervised, with youth is considered a
volunteer. Volunteers include, among others, Club and District YEX Program officers
and committee members, Club Counsellors, Rotarians and non-Rotarians and their
spouses or partners who host youth for activities or outings or who might drive
students to events or functions on a regular basis and host parents and other adult
residents of the host home, including siblings and other family members.
Youth Protection – District 5360 Policy

11. All volunteers interested in participating in any District 5360 Youth Service
Program must;
 Fill out and submit a Rotary Youth Volunteer Application form
o This form is now available on-line through the YEAH database
o This form requires the individual to supply the names and contact
information for three (3) personal references (no family members,
maximum 1 Rotarian)
o The District policy indicates that Youth Volunteer applications are valid for
two (2) years
Youth Protection – District 5360 Policy

12. Youth Protection – Volunteer Screening

13. All volunteers interested in participating in any District 5360 Youth Service
Program must;
 Have a valid and current Police Background Check for working with youth,
which also includes Vulnerable Sector Screening.
o Police Background Checks are available through your local police force.
o Police Background Checks are valid for a period of five (5) years.
o Volunteers who have had their Police Background Check expire must re-
apply should they wish to continue to participate in any of Rotary District
5360’s Youth Service Programs.
Youth Protection – District 5360 Policy

14. Youth Protection – Police Background Check

15. All volunteers interested in participating in any District 5360 Youth Service
Program must;
 Must participate in and pass the NAYEN on-line Youth Protection Awareness
training that includes information on bullying, harassment and abuse.
 The District policy indicates that the NAYEN on-line Youth Protection Awareness
training is valid for two (2) years.
Youth Protection – District 5360 Policy

16. Youth Protection – District 4100 Policy
 All Mexican Districts are commited to consider a priority to protect
the security and wellbeing of all youth and shall not tolerate any
harrassment, bullying and abuse.
 All claims will be taken seriously and shall be resolved according to RI
guidelines
 Districts shall keep themselves updated about local laws regarding
harrassment and abuse.
 All Districts shall appoint a Youth Protection officer.

17.  3) Teenage victims of sexual abuse may be reluctant to
report it because they feel responsible
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

18.  4) It is important at all times to know the difference
between abuse and harassment, because it will guide you
in what you report to Rotary.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

19.  Identify your Youth Protection “Champion”
 Build your Youth Protection Team
 Develop your Youth Protection policies
 Build your internal procedures to manage your program
 Education
 Training
 Data capture
 Gain District support
Youth Protection – Readiness

20.  5) Most sexual abuse or harassment of people under 18
years of age is done by strangers.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

21.  Educate your internal audiences about your Youth
Protection policies and procedures
 Ensure internal audience understanding and gain buy-in
 Have Youth Protection resource material readily accessible
 It’s critical to “walk the talk”
Youth Protection – Education

22.  6) Adults in Rotary Youth Programs are obliged to take
appropriate action peer-to-peer abuse is suspected.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

23.  Reach out for advice
 RI
 Regional organizations (NAYEN, EEMA, ABIJ)
 Other Districts and Clubs
 Develop training program and materials for;
 Volunteers
 Host Families
 Exchange students
 Training records
Youth Protection – Training

24. Youth Protection – NAYEN Training

25.  Rotary is doing its job to keep you safe, but you are …
 Living a long distance away from family and friends
 Living in unfamiliar surroundings
 Living in a different culture with different cultural norms
 Living in a country with different rules
 Learning to communicate in a different language
 You need to do your part to …
Be Safe – “Be Street Smart”
Youth Protection – Student Training

26. Youth Protection – Student Training
Don’t talk to
strangers!
Don’t trust people
that give you gifts
without reason.
Don’t provide
personal
information to
strangers.
Never get into a
car with people
you don’t know.

27. Youth Protection – Student Training
Before you leave
home, make sure
you have your
personal
identification.
Keep the address
and phone number
of your host family
with you at all
times.
Make sure to tell
your host family
where you are
going and let them
know if plans
change.
Keep your cell
charged and with
credit to make a
phone call.

28.  7) When receiving a report of abuse from a student in Rotary Youth
Programs, all of the following are important: 1) To remain calm. 2) To
gather the facts. 3) To make a written record 4) To get the other side
of the story from the alleged perpetrator.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

29.  It’s not a question of “IF”, it’s a question of “WHEN”
 Youth Protection Incident Report Response Team (YPIRT)
 Incident Response Procedures
 Incident Response Reporting
Youth Protection – Incident Response

30. When an allegation is reported:
 Listen as calmly as possible, gather facts, support and protect the
student.
 Do not make any judgements or accusations, just LISTEN and TAKE
NOTES.
 Contact appropriate authorities.
 Report to host and sponsor District’s YEP Chair, Host District’s YPO,
Host District Governor and RI YEP offices within 72 hours.
 Assist the student to report the incident to his natural parents, if
possible talk to them yourself too.
Youth Protection – Incident Response

31. Youth Protection – Incident Response
COUNSELOR
Club YEO/President
DISTRICT YEP CHAIR
YOUTH PROTECTION OFFICER
District Governor
STUDENT

32. Youth Protection – Incident Response
Youth Exchange Incident Report
Instructions: Complete the following report leaving no field blank. If a question does not apply to this situation, please
enter “NA.” Incident reports should be emailed or faxed to RI (email: youthexchange@rotary.org; fax: +1-847-556-2182).
After submitting the report, please continue to update Youth Exchange staff as further information develops.
REPORTER INFORMATION
Reporter’s Name: Title/Role:
District: Telephone(s):
Date & time of report: Email:
ALLEGED VICTIM INFORMATION
Last Name: First Name:
Host District: Host Club:
Sponsor District:
Sponsor
Club:
Age: Citizenship:
Host Family
Name & Address:
Host Family
Phone:
ALLEGED OFFENDER INFORMATION
Last Name: First Name:
Relationship to the
youth named above:
Role/Title:
Club name (if Rotarian):
Other Parties Involved:
(contact information)
SUMMARY
Date and time of incident:
Please provide details of the incident:
Rotary International District 5360

33. Youth Protection – Incident Response
 Make sure the student receives all the counselling and support
needed.
 Rotarians should not speculate, make any comments to the media
and should be cautioned regarding the consequences of defamation.
 If the alleged abuser is a Rotarian, they should be removed from all
contact with the victim and other youth.
 In the event that the student’s natural parents decide that the
student continues with their exchange, written authorization should
be requested.
 Provide student the option of an independent non-Rotarian
counsellor.
 Cooperate with legal authorities.

34.  8) All of the following procedures help prevent youth
abuse and harassment: 1) Background checks, 2) Volunteer
Affidavits, 3) Volunteer training, 4) Getting a detailed
sexual history from each student.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

35. Youth Protection - Resources

36. Youth Protection - Resources
Rotary District 5360
POLICY FOR YOUTH PROTECTION
THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE &
HARASSMENT

37. Youth Protection - Resources

38.  9) In order for students to report abuse we must assure
them complete confidentiality.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge

39.  10) Every adult who has a volunteer role in Rotary Youth
Programs, must indicate in writing, their understanding of
and agreement to adhere to the Rotary Statement of
Conduct for Working with Youth.
 True
 False
Youth Protection – Test Your Knowledge