Training Employees/Staff/Leadership

When it comes to training your employees, paid staff, managers, senior leaders, and board and governance members, there is certain core content that is critical to include in a comprehensive training program to effectively prevent child sexual abuse. 

Here are some elements that should be included as you select/adapt your training program for this audience:

• All policies and procedures adopted by the organization.
• Child sexual abuse information (definitions, prevalence, indicators, physical and behavioral symptoms).
• Importance of preventing child sexual abuse (grooming, short and long-term effects, ACES study).
• Personal conduct and responsibility (based on your Code of Conduct best practices).
• Guidance and support for staff around disclosures and mandated reporting (See Reporting and Report Abuse).
• A definition of the continuum of appropriate, inappropriate, and harmful behaviors from your organization’s perspective 
• A definition of internal vs. external reporting chains, clarifying infractions that may be addressed by supervisors/managers rather than reported to DCF/law enforcement.
  • Reporting chains will also need to be defined for circumstances where the alleged perpetrator of a reportable offense is a current or former employee or volunteer (See Reporting).
• A description of risk and protective factors for victimization and perpetration.
• Common myths about offenders, such as the myth that most people who sexually abuse are strangers to the youth, or that only adults abuse youth.

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