Abuse and Harassment Prevention

The Abuse and Harassment Prevention Training Manual and Leaders' Guide (775-EN) and slides are now available in nine languages. Five copies of this manual have been sent to all district governors for distribution to youth program chairs. This manual is available for download or purchase on the RI Web site.

The Abuse and Harassment Prevention Training Manual and Leaders’ Guide is designed to help Rotarians provide a safe and secure environment for participants in Rotary International youth programs. District governors, district youth protection offi cers, and all district leaders involved with Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange should review these materials. Districts also may use these guidelines when working with other youth-related projects, such as scouting  or mentoring, and any at-risk or vulnerable population, such as the elderly or disabled.

The training manual provides information and guidelines for developing and implementing an effective district abuse and harassment prevention program for youth protection. Topics include proper screening of adult volunteers working with youth (including privacy issues and recordkeeping), selection of youth participants, and effective training programs for Rotarians, non-Rotarian volunteers, and students.

The leaders’ guide consists of abuse and harassment prevention training sessions for all Rotarians involved in youth programs as well as specialized Youth Exchange training sessions for district Youth Exchange committee members, club counselors, host families, and students and their parents.