The following guidelines are provided to create an awareness of vulnerability to civil and criminal liability as well as to instill the need to protect children. 

 

DO 

• Meet in public places when meeting with minors. 

• Always have another adult present when counseling minors. 

• Advise other members of activities away from the group regarding where, when, and with whom you meet. 

•  Always have two adults taking younger children to the bathroom. 

• Keep physical contact public and minimal. Simple “hello” hugs are permissible, for example. 

•  Always have a minimum of two unrelated adults on field trips, in classrooms, especially overnight trips. 

• Keep groups together, perhaps using a buddy system. 

• Be willing to be cheerfully accountable to parents. 

 

DON’T 

• Meet one-to-one with minors behind closed doors. 

• Have secret meetings with minors. 

• Meet alone with minors, especially of the opposite sex. 

• Check a minor for injuries under clothing without another adult present except in serious emergencies. 

• Exchange kisses with children or youth. 

• Allow older children to take younger children to the bathroom alone. 

• Transport a child or youth by yourself except for real emergencies.