Leadership at Youth-Serving Organizations (YSOs) should maintain regular communication on the culture of safety with staff, volunteers, parents, and those outside of their organization. Collaboration with stakeholders and community members is an important aspect of sustaining child safety efforts. This communication should keep community members in the loop about updates to your organization’s mission and allows them to be closely involved in prevention efforts.

To collaborate with stakeholders and community members: 

Maintain consistent communication from program leadership to all stakeholders and outline your organization’s commitment to preventing child sexual abuse. Leadership should provide continual communication about your child safety mission with those inside and outside your organization. Ongoing communication and transparency transforms policy into practice by building awareness of abuse prevention efforts.  

Engage with community partners to discuss child abuse prevention efforts, the sharing of resources and expertise, coordination of training events, and working together to identify and address community needs and gaps in services. Leadership’s conversations with community members should focus on building awareness and knowledge around child sexual abuse prevention. Communication should also allow space for insight and feedback from members of the community to improve prevention efforts. 

Build transparency by regular communication with the communities you serve, the public, and the media to create stronger relationships, support, and advocacy and to announce your commitment to safe environments. Your organization’s communication with the broader community should exemplify the child safety mission your organization upholds. Utilize newsletters, social media, and other platforms to portray your commitment to safety and child sexual abuse prevention.  

Act as an advocate in larger, societal efforts that address child abuse and neglect as a shared concern. Continue to support large-scale child abuse prevention efforts in the greater community. Act in solidary with organizations focused on child abuse prevention efforts.  

Stay up to date with current efforts from your local Child Advocacy Center and other regional and statewide child abuse prevention organizations. Utilize regional Child Advocacy Centers and other abuse prevention organizations to continue improving your child safety efforts. Stay up to date with the latest developments and news surrounding child sexual abuse prevention published by these organizations.  

Your YSO’s commitment to child safety should be clearly communicated to stakeholders and community members. This establishes community buy-in for child abuse prevention efforts, creating a larger network of people with interest in upholding your organization’s mission.  

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