Child Protection Policy

Board Approved 2020 11 23

POLICY STATEMENT: The Wilder Pageant Inc. has zero tolerance of child abuse. It is the policy of the Wilder Pageant Committee to diligently empower and protect Youth by providing safe spaces for theatre education and experiences. We work to ensure our policies, procedures and practices embody the highest safety standards for the young people that we serve.

BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY: All Wilder Pageant Committee Inc. members serving in a volunteer role that involves interacting with youth or having access to member data are required to pass a background check every three years.

The background check is defined as a check of criminal history conducted by the Wilder Pageant Inc.’s approved vendor, authorized by the member, and does not include a credit check. The background check is a required component of the Wilder Pageant Inc.’s volunteer screening procedure and is required every three years. Volunteers are asked to provide their social security number as part of the background check process. Volunteers may bypass the social security number. All background check invitations and instructions are sent via email.

The Wilder Pageant Inc. will take necessary measures to ensure that member data is secure. The Wilder Pageant Inc. pays the full cost of background checks. The Wilder Pageant Inc. reserves the right to limit or prohibit the presence of non-members of the cast and crew and their parents from rehearsals and backstage presence if it is deemed a distraction or potential hazard for the production and members of the cast or crew.

MANDATED REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE: The Wilder Pageant Committee Inc. and its employees are required to report any suspected abuse or maltreatment of minors as applicable by Minnesota state laws. All persons employed by the Wilder Pageant shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. You may not abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.

THE “THREE R’S” OF YOUTH PROTECTION:

A. Recognize that anyone could be an abuser.

B. Respond when someone is doing something that goes against your gut or against the safety guidelines.

C. Report attempted or actual abuse or any activity that you think is wrong to a parent or other trusted adult.

STEPS TO REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

1. Ensure the child is in a safe environment.

2. In cases of child abuse or medical emergencies, call 911 immediately.

3. Notify the Wilder Pageant President, director or his/her designee.

Policy updated and approved by Wilder Pageant Committee on 2020 11 23.