The following list provides examples of behaviors that are prohibited or discouraged in youth programs, as detailed in the University Standards for Interacting with Youth. All behaviors listed below warrant a response by a youth program representative. Certain “behaviors of concern” require notification to SafeCampus (206-685-SAFE (7233)), 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 (uwminors@uw.edu or 206-616-5706).
Within each example behavior you will find a continuum of responses appropriate for the behavior listed.
For guidance on how to use the continuum, view our brief mini-module on the topic. For more resources and downloadable documents addressing unsafe interactions and behaviors of concern, jump to “Additional Resources“.
Behaviors of Concern
Supervisory Attention Warranted
- One-time unplanned encounters where the personnel had no access to other adults.
- 1:1 interactions that are not sanctioned, warranted, or interrupted by the program.
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
SafeCampus Notification Required
- Recurring unsanctioned 1:1 youth-personnel interactions (planned or unplanned).
- Intentional seclusion of a youth by an adult.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
1:1 interactions that intersect with other behaviors of concern that may fit a definition of abuse or neglect.
Supervisory Attention Warranted
- Youth-initiated contact to a personal account; personnel notifies supervisor immediately.
- Electronic or text communication that is not sanctioned by a program.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
Ongoing contact between staff and a youth using the staff person’s personal account. No disclosure to supervisor about the communication.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
1:1 text or electronic communications that intersect with other behaviors of concern that may fit a definition of abuse or neglect, e.g., sharing of sexually explicit materials.
Supervisory Attention Warranted
- Withholding special privileges (e.g., access to certain extra-curricular activities or special prizes, snacks, etc.) for disruptive behavior.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
Withholding meals, water, toileting, sleep, or other basic needs to discipline youth.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
- Behaviors that constitute neglect.
- Persistent or egregious instances of withholding meals, water, toileting, sleep, or other basic needs to discipline youth.
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-program setting that is disclosed to supervisor.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- Ongoing contact between staff and a youth using the staff person’s personal account. No disclosure to supervisor about the communication.
- Unsanctioned visit to personal events or home of youth.
- Visit by youth to personal dwelling of staff.
- Unsanctioned meeting between youth and personnel.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
Sharing sexually explicit materials with a 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.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- 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 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 & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
Assault or other crimes 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, or otherwise within sanctioned program guidelines.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- 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 & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
Gift giving or receiving that intersects with other behaviors of concern that may fit a definition of abuse or neglect.
Supervisory Attention Warranted
- Personnel using language or behaviors to discipline youth that could be perceived as developmentally inappropriate, threatening or violent (jokingly or facetiously.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- 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).
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
- ALL behaviors that meet the definition of physical or verbal abuse.
- Physical force used against youth that results in an injury or severe psychological trauma.
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 with youth.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- Physical contact that might be construed as sexual in nature, such as massages, back rubs, etc.
- Sexual innuendo (e.g., flirting, etc.) between youth and personnel that is not disclosed to a supervisor or deterred by personnel.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
- Sexual physical contact or sexual verbal exchanges between personnel and youth that meets the definition of sexual abuse or exploitation.
Supervisory Attention Warranted
Youth initiated romantic expression towards personnel that is immediately reported to a supervisor and addressed with youth.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- Youth initiated romantic expression towards personnel that is not immediately reported to supervisor, and which persists.
- Personnel initiated romantic involvement.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
“Dating” between personnel and youth, with additional concern for sexual or physical abuse.
Supervisory Attention Warranted
This behavior warrants action beyond supervisory attention.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
Sharing sexually explicit materials with youth other than pornography, which warrants report to CPS or police.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
Sharing pornographic materials with youth.
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.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
- Possessing or using alcohol or drugs during program activities.
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during program activities.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
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.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
This behavior warrants action beyond SafeCampus attention.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
Any instance of bringing or possessing weapons during program activities or around youth.
Supervisory Attention Warranted
This behavior warrants action beyond supervisory attention.
SafeCampus Notification Required
SafeCampus: 206-685-SAFE (7233)
Transporting youth in a personal vehicle under any circumstances.
Report to DCYF CPS or Police & SafeCampus
CPS: 1-866-END-HARM (363-4276)
Transporting youth in a personal vehicle, accompanying other behaviors of concern that may fit a definition of abuse or neglect.
Additional Resources
- Download the “Behaviors of Concern Continuum” | [PDF]
- For help using the continuum, view our mini-module on the topic
- Download the “Red Flag Behaviors” handout developed by OYPC| [PDF]
- Download the “SafeCampus 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“