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Addressing Unsafe Interactions and Behaviors of Concern

The following list provides examples of behaviors that are prohibited in youth activities, as detailed in the University Standards for Interacting with Youth. All behaviors listed below warrant a response by a youth activity leader. Certain “behaviors of concern” require notification to the Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153), and/or a report to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families – Child Protective Services (DCYF CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276) or the police (911). Examples listed below are not exhaustive. Contact the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator for further guidance as needed.

Within each example behavior you will find a continuum of responses appropriate for the behavior listed.

For more resources and downloadable documents addressing unsafe interactions and behaviors of concern, see Additional Resources.

Behaviors of Concern

Behaviors of Concern

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • One-time unplanned encounters where the personnel had no access to other adults.
  • Private, unmonitored 1:1 personnel-youth interactions that are not observable or interruptible.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Recurring unsanctioned 1:1 personnel-youth interactions (planned or unplanned).
  • Intentional seclusion of a youth by an adult, whether in person or online.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • Private, unmonitored 1:1 personnel-youth interactions that intersect with other behaviors indicating suspected abuse or neglect.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Youth-initiated contact to a personal account; personnel notifies supervisor immediately.
  • Electronic communication with youth that is not sanctioned by the activity.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

Ongoing contact between personnel and a youth using personal accounts. No disclosure to supervisor about the communication.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • 1:1 text or electronic communications that intersect with other behaviors indicating suspected abuse or neglect, e.g., sharing of sexually explicit materials.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Youth initiated contact to a personal account; personnel notifies supervisor immediately and takes steps to deter contact.
  • Personal communication or contact based on a pre-existing relationship that is disclosed to a supervisor.
  • Happenstance meeting in non-activity setting that is disclosed to supervisor.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Ongoing contact between personnel and a youth using personal accounts. No disclosure to supervisor about the communication.
  • Unsanctioned visit to personal events or home of youth.
  • Visit by youth to personal dwelling of personnel.
  • Unsanctioned meeting between youth and personnel.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Personnel using language or behaviors to discipline youth that could be perceived as developmentally inappropriate, threatening or violent (jokingly or facetiously.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Using threatening, derogatory or violent language towards youth that can be perceived as serious.
  • Using coercion or intimidation to wield power over youth.
  • Any use of physical force for any purpose (including to restrain youth) without a physical restraint policy previously in place.

Report to CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • ALL behaviors that meet the definition of physical or verbal abuse.
  • Physical force used against youth resulting in an injury or severe psychological trauma.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Withholding special privileges (e.g., access to certain extra-curricular activities or special prizes, snacks, etc.) for disruptive behavior.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

Withholding meals, water, toileting, sleep, or other basic needs to discipline youth.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • Behaviors that indicate suspected neglect of a child.
  • Persistent or egregious instances of withholding meals, water, toileting, sleep, or other basic needs to discipline youth.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Youth-initiated frontal hugs or other youth-initiated “playful” physical contact that is considered inappropriate per program guidelines; personnel immediately discloses to a supervisor and addresses with youth.
  • Youth-initiated sexual innuendo towards personnel; personnel discloses to a supervisor and addresses behavior appropriately.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Physical contact that might be construed as sexual in nature, such as massages, back rubs, etc.
  • Sexual innuendo (e.g., flirting, jokes, etc.) between youth and personnel that is not disclosed to a supervisor, or is not deterred by personnel.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Youth initiated romantic expression towards personnel that is immediately reported to a supervisor and addressed with youth.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Youth initiated romantic expression towards personnel that is not immediately reported to supervisor, and which persists.
  • Personnel initiated romantic overtures or involvement.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • “Dating” between personnel and youth, with additional behaviors indicating suspected sexual or physical abuse. Note that any sexual interaction between personnel and youth may indicate suspected sexual abuse.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • This behavior warrants action beyond supervisory attention.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Sharing sexually explicit information or having sexually explicit conversations with youth.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • Sharing sexually explicit content with youth. Sexually explicit content includes any detailed or graphic depictions of sexual acts, nudity, or other sexual themes.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • One-time or repeated tobacco use in front of youth.
  • Discussing drug, alcohol, or tobacco use in the presence of youth without a clear programmatic objective.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Possessing or using alcohol or drugs during activity.
  • Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during activity.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • Selling drugs. Providing alcohol or drugs to youth.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • This behavior warrants action beyond supervisory attention.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • This behavior warrants action beyond Youth Protection Coordinator attention.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • Any instance of bringing or possessing weapons during activity or around youth.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Perceived or actual preferential treatment given to one group of youth over another in the same program (first occurrence).
  • Microaggressions that occur in the presence of youth.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Personnel making overtly derogatory (e.g., racist, sexist, homophobic, etc.) comments toward youth based on their identity.
  • Youth disclosing that they have experienced discrimination perpetrated by personnel.
  • Persistent or covert (i.e., intentionally secretive) preferential treatment by personnel despite being previously advised against it.
  • Sexual, racial, ability, religious or other identity based harassment of youth.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

  • Assault or other crime motivated by prejudice on the basis of sex, race, ability, religion, etc.

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • Unsolicited gifts received by participants or families that are immediately disclosed to a supervisor.
  • Giving gifts to all participants or families, and otherwise within sanctioned activity guidelines.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Giving gifts to certain youth with no sanctioned programmatic objective. Not disclosing to supervisor.
  • Any perception of favoritism or grooming.
  • Asking youth who receive a gift to keep it a secret.
  • Receiving a gift from youth and not disclosing to a supervisor, i.e., apparently keeping it secret.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)

Supervisory Attention Warranted

  • This behavior warrants action beyond supervisory attention.

Youth Protection Coordinator Notification Required
Youth Protection Coordinator (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5153)

  • Transporting youth in a personal vehicle under any circumstances.

Report to DCYF CPS or Police & Youth Protection Coordinator

CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)


Additional Resources

  • Download the “Red Flag Behaviors” handout developed by OYPC| [PDF]
  • Download the “Scenario Training for UW Led Youth Programs” which includes in-depth scenarios to discuss with your staff | [PDF]
  • More resources to view and download can be found under “Documents, tools and templates