Addressing Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

1. Addressing Inappropriate Sexual Behavior Mike Grigg DPS Mental Health and Assessment Support Specialist

2. Framing • Honor Emotions in the Room • Acknowledge Who’s in the Room • Overarching Purpose of the Evening • Q & A • What can we answer now, what might we be able to answer later, what might we never be able to answer and why • Q & A Process • My specific Role as Facilitator • On-Going Resources After the Meeting • Mental Health Support Tonight • Employee Hotline

3. Meeting Objectives • Supporting our children through communication and dialogue. • Communicate what the school has done to this point. Topics related to the investigation cannot be communicated at this time • Best-practices for talking with your child • Clarifying next steps and action plan • Respond to questions

4. Learning Objectives • Define sexual abuse • Understanding universal boundaries • Helping parents feel comfortable discussing topic with their child • Understanding the grooming process and steps leading up to sexual acting out behaviors • Understanding and applying environmental and situational awareness • Present the School’s Action Plan for maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.

5. Keeping schools and students safe in DPS • All hiring procedures include a complete background check for employees and volunteers. • Policies are in place to minimize the risk of sexual abuse of children through mandated reporting • The school environment is to set up to increase student safety and reduce the chances of sexual abuse. • Policies are maintained for reporting, notification, removal, and confidentiality.

6. District Policy concerning allegations of sexual assault of a student by a district employee: • Report alleged assault, including an incident which occurred off school grounds and/or beyond school hours (if the incident occurred off of school grounds complete the Denver Public Schools – Denver Police Department report prior to calling the police) • Report to law enforcement where the incident occurred • If the incident occurred in Denver, report to the assigned School Resource Officer (SRO), if available, or call the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000 • Document the name and badge number of officer taking the report

7. District Policy concerning allegations of sexual assault of a student by a district employee: • The officer will determine action to take and make a written report • If an incident of alleged sexual assault or unlawful sexual behavior of a student by another student occurs on school grounds or during a school sanctioned event, notify the school faculty member responsible for student discipline for the appropriate application of student discipline • Notify principal or administrative designee that a report has been made to law enforcement. • Contact Denver Public Schools Safety and Security, and complete the Incident Report; the Incident Report should be mailed to Safety and Security on the same day

8. Completing the Denver Public Schools-Denver Police Department Report • Report, immediately, all incidents of suspected physical or sexual assault that threaten the child’s immediate safety to law enforcement and DPS Safety & Security, if the incident occurred off of school grounds complete the Denver Public Schools – Denver Police Department report prior to calling the police. If DPS staff does not initiate the call to police then staff is not required to complete the report. • Under no circumstances should reports be included in a student’s cumulative file, staff working files, or in a student’s educational record • School staff must not question, interview or examine the student if there is any suspicion or probability that sexual assault has occurred • Call Denver Police Department Dispatcher at 720-913-2000; it may be necessary to call 911 • Call DPS Safety & Security at 720-423-3911 • Prepare Denver Public Schools Safety and Security Incident Report and fax to 720-423-3474 • Fax the Denver Public Schools - Denver Police Department report to DPS 720-423-8934 • Destroy original copy of the report

9. Investigation Process • Mandated reporting requires school leaders and staff notify Denver Police and then DPS Safety and Security if they suspect or have knowledge of child abuse, sexual assault or illegal sexual contact. • Follow a model of “see something, say something”. All reports are taken seriously. • Denver Police leads any investigation of potential criminal misconduct. • DPS provides support in the information gathering process as requested by police. • Once police complete their investigation, DPS reviews to determine if any further internal investigation or follow up needs to be conducted due to potential violations of DPS policies, practices, or expectations.

10. What is Sexual Abuse? • Any case in which a child is subjected to sexual assault or molestation, sexual exploitation, or prostitution.

12. Crossing Boundaries • We all have boundaries • Seven universal boundaries

13. Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference 2008

14. What is Grooming? • When a person engages in a set of behaviors targeted to create a victim of sexual abuse • Involves actions that manipulate or set up an individual and/or their family (often unknowingly) to be a victim.

15. TRUST BUILDING • Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference, 2008

16. FAVORITISM • Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference, 2008

17. ALIENATION • Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference, 2008

18. SECRETS • Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference, 2008

19. BOUNDARY TESTING • Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference, 2008

20. BOUNDARY CROSSING • Blake, C., III (2008, Oct., 2). Informed Supervision. DYC Regional Conference, 2008

21. Addressing Grooming Behavior • Address it as you would any misbehavior • Create a more comprehensive plan if/when necessary

24. Behavioral Signs & Common Reactions • Withdrawal/Depression/Sleeping and Eating disorders • School absences, poor grades • Threatened by physical contact • Overly protective of siblings • Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior. • Injuries or self injuries

25. How do I talk to my child about sexual abuse? • Have the conversation in a comfortable place. • Make these conversations routine, not one big event. • Ask if anyone is touching them in ways they don’t feel ok or make them feel uncomfortable. • Ask “I” questions to avoid shaming the child. • Talk with your child about secrets. Secrets that are kept and secrets that are told… (harmful) • Teach children to say “NO!” and find an adult if someone is touching or talking to them in ways that are uncomfortable for them.

26. How can I protect my children from Sexual Assault? • Talk to your children about sexuality and sexual abuse in age appropriate terms. • Be involved in your child’s life. (Time) • Be available. (watch for signs)

27. Anonymous Reporting • Anonymous Reports can be made to Crime Stoppers and the Safe2Tell hotline • Anonymity guaranteed • Crime Stoppers, Call 720-913-7867 • Safe2Tell, Call 877-542-7223 Other Resources DPS Parent Liaison, Call 720-423-3054

28. Next Steps and Action Plan • School and district will support Denver Police Department in it’s investigation. • School will review safe school practices as well as the mandated reporting procedures for child abuse as outlined by the district. • School will initiate a plan to educate staff in good touch/bad touch curriculum. • School staff will continue to emphasize the importance of home/school communication. • School will communicate as needed to staff, students, and parents around any and all child safety issues.

29. Questions?