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Ser
vice Reducing Risks for VolunteersReducing Risks for Volunteers
Optimizing Potential in 4-H Youth Development
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service
2002
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Ser
vice IntroductionIntroduction
• Sexual harassment and abuse are real.- Accusations can be made when
perceptions differ.- 4-H volunteers need to avoid risky
situations- There are 11 factors to consider.
• This program will provide information on ways to avoid risk when working with youth.
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vice 4-H/Youth Program Philosophy4-H/Youth Program Philosophy
• Caring, capable, contributing adults serve as role models.
• We provide strong educational youth development program conducted in a variety of settings.
• We have a rich heritage and want to ensure beneficial experiences for both youth and adults.
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Youth Development May BeYouth Development May BeRisky BusinessRisky Business
• Our society is changing.• We need to take more precautions today
than we did in years past.• It is prudent to review risky occasions and
situations and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.
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Factors to Consider WhenFactors to Consider WhenAssessing RiskAssessing Risk
• Location• Parental involvement• Adult supervision• Frequency and duration
of interaction• Changing clothes
• Training• Education of children• Monitoring • Physical contact• Staff turnover• Age and disabilities
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LocationLocation
• Public settings lower risk.• Activities in private homes present medium
risk• Isolated settings (e.g. wilderness) present
high risk.
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vice Parental InvolvementParental Involvement
• The more parental involvement, the lower the risk.
• Molesters seek out children who are isolated.• Parental involvement signals less
vulnerability.
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vice Adult SupervisionAdult Supervision
•The more adults, the lower the risk.•There are no magic supervision ratios. •Factors to consider:– Size of the group.– Ages of children involved.– Nature of the activity.– Setting where activity occurs.
•At least 3 people always present.
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Frequency and Duration of Frequency and Duration of InteractionInteraction
• The less interaction between child and adult, the lower the risk
• Longer periods of involvement provide more opportunities for abuse to occur.
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Changing ClothesChanging Clothes
• The less need to change clothes associated with the activity, the lower the risk.
• When children are changing clothes, preparing for bed, or showering, they are more vulnerable.
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Ser
vice TrainingTraining
• Volunteer training can reduce risks.• It serves to:
– Alert volunteers that the organization will respond aggressively to any allegations.
– Inform volunteers about what to look for.– Communicate organizational policies to
prevent child abuse.
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vice Education of ChildrenEducation of Children
•The more education children receive on child abuse, the lower the risk.
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vice MonitoringMonitoring
• The more monitoring of an activity, the lower the risk.
• When no monitoring occurs, the risk increases.
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vice Physical ContactPhysical Contact
• The less physical contact, the lower the risk.• Situations where the activity requires physical
contact between adult and child can provide high risk.
• Adults may justify unacceptable behavior as an unintentional slip.
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vice Staff and Supervisor TurnoverStaff and Supervisor Turnover
• Low turnover of both staff and volunteers lowers the risks.
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vice Age and DisabilitiesAge and Disabilities
• The age of onset is highest for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The risk is especially high for 10 to 12 year olds.
• Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be abused.
• Children with family problems are also at high risk.
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Ser
vice Reducing Volunteer RisksReducing Volunteer Risks
• Programs provide opportunities for youth and adults to learn and work together.
• Awareness of the risk factors can ensure that all are safe.
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Ser
vice The End!The End!
Questions?????
Optimizing Your Potential as a 4-H Volunteer
Fall, 2001 (Rev. 2/05)4-H Youth Department,
Purdue University West Lafayette, INCatherine E. Burwell, Ph.D., Extension Specialist
[email protected] K. McKee, Ph.D., Project Director [email protected]
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Ser
vice ReferencesReferences
Legal Requirements for Responding to the Suspicion of Neglect and Abuse. Indiana 4-H Youth Program Policies and Procedures. Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. West Lafayette, IN. 2000.
• Assessing the Level of Risk for Child Sexual Abuse. Indiana 4-H Youth Program Policies and Procedures. Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. West Lafayette, IN. 2000.
• Screening Volunteers to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: A Community Guide for Youth Organizations. National Collaboration for Youth. The National Assembly of National Voluntary Health and Social Welfare Organizations. 1997.
• Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. Online at http://www.pcain.org/
