District Youth Protection

Rotary International

District Committee

• Chairperson: Allan Birrell

• Members : Jayne Cameron : David Green : Dominique Hayden

Our Role

• To implement the Rotary International Youth Protection Policy

Education Training Raising awareness Youth Protection

Who does this apply to?

• All Rotary Youth programmes - International Youth Exchange - Matched Student Exchange - RYLA - RYPEN - Rotaract

Statement of Conduct forWorking 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, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact.”

What is Child Abuse?

The harming( whether physically, sexually,

emotionally ) ill treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child or young person including family violence

Neglect

• Neglect is any act or omission by a parent or caregiver resulting in impaired physical functioning, injury or development of a young person

- hunger, thirst, malnutrition - inadequate - clothing - hygiene - living conditions

Emotional Abuse or Neglect

Any act or omission by a parent or caregiver

or parents which results in impaired psychological and or emotional functioning and or development of a child/ young person

Physical Abuse

• Any act or acts that result in inflicted injury to a child or young person.

- bruises, welts, cuts, abrasions - fractures, sprains - abdominal injuries, internal organs - head injuries, strangulation, suffication

Regardless of motivation, the result is physical abuse

Sexual Abuse

Any act or acts which result in exploitation

of a child or young person, whether consensual or not, for sexual gratification of a parent , adult , child or young person.

Family Violence

• A serious abuse of power and violence within a household.

• Serious social and criminal problem• Can involve death, killing, physical and sexual abuse• Creates unhealthy dependency and relationships• Generally hidden• Long last effects on victims- woman, children,

elderly,

Recognising Symptoms

Behavioural• Extreme activity or withdrawal• Difficulty concentrating• Declining school performance• Irritability or angry outbursts• Avoidance of people, places• Drugs, alcohol• Risk taking, antisocial behaviours

Physical Symptoms • Eating disorders• Insomnia• Nightmares• Headaches, gastrointestinal, abdominal, back

or pelvic pain• Physical injuries

Emotional Symptoms

• Expressing feelings of shame, guilt• Low self esteem• Anxiety, depression• Suicidal thoughts

What if a Young Person Discloses?

• Listen, stay calm• Believe the young person• Assure privacy, not confidentiality• Ascertain the story, facts, no interrogration• Be non judgemental - validate, reassure• Record• Advise you will need to consult• Get help – Youth Protection Committee

Inbound Students

Allegation

Ensure safety of young person

Seek advice, report allegation/concerns to District Youth Protection Committee Police/CYF

District Governor

Rotary International

Outbound Students Current Historical Disclosure Disclosure

Report allegation Report Police@ Rotary

District 9940 advised

Liaison host District D. Youth Protection Officer District Governor

Rotary International

Role of CYF and Police

• Investigate and assess

• Ensure the safety of the young person

• Work with Rotary to ensure the best outcome for the young person

Role of Rotary

• Uphold Rotary statement of working with youth

• Ensure the safety of the young person• Ensure advice to District Youth committee,

D.G and R.I• Work with CYF and Police• Contact with family, counsellors and other

parties to be in consultation and advice of District Youth Committee

Who needs training?

• Counsellors• Club Youth Protection Officers• Parents• Students• Host families

What we need from you

• Support to ensure protection of our young people

• Acceptance and adoption of the policy

• Implementation

What we can offer you

• Training

• Attending club meetings

• Advice/ consultation

Issues/advice

• Contact Allan Birrell

e-mail: a.hbirrell@xtra.co.nz phone: 06-3687463 cell: 027 436 8763