Required Reporting. There are two types of scenarios requiring reporting:
- When you witness child abuse or neglect, or suspect a child has been abused or neglected (see "Mandatory Report of Child Abuse" below).
- When you witness a violation of the urban debate leagues’ Youth Protection Policy (see "Reporting Violations of Urban Debate Youth Protection Policies" below).
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse. All persons involved in urban debate shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that a child is, or has been, physically or sexually abused; physically or emotionally neglected; exposed to any form of violence or threat; or 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.
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. In addition, if the suspected abuse is in the urban debater’s home or family, you are required to contact the local child abuse hotline.
4. Notify the urban debate leagues’ Executive Director or their designee.
Reporting Violations of the Youth Protection Policy. If you think any of the urban debate Youth Protection Policies have been violated, including those described within Urban Debate’s Barriers to Abuse, you must notify your local league's Executive Director or their designee so appropriate action can be taken for the safety of our debaters.
Urban Debate's Barriers to Abuse. Portland Urban Debate Leagues has adopted the following policies for the safety and well-being of the members of it's community. While these policies are primarily for the protection of youth members, they also serve to protect adult participants.
Minimum two-deep leadership on all outings required. Two registered adult coaches, or one registered coach and a parent of a participating debater or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips and tournaments. Appropriate adult leadership must be present for all overnight debate activities. Coed overnight activities, even those including parent and child, require male and female adult leaders, both of whom must be 21 years of age or older, and one of whom must be a staff member of the urban debate league.
One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. In any situation requiring a personal meeting, such as a debater/coach conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.
Separate accommodations for adults and debaters is required. When traveling, no youth is permitted to sleep in the hotel room of an adult other than his or her own parent or guardian.
Privacy of youth respected. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.
Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, or digital devices is prohibited. While most debaters and coaches use cameras and other imaging devices responsibly, it has become very easy to invade the privacy of individuals. It is inappropriate to use any device capable of recording or transmitting visual images in restrooms or other areas where privacy is expected by participants.
No secret organizations. Urban debate leagues do not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the urban debate program are open to observation by parents and leaders.
No hazing. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any debate activity.
No bullying. Verbal, physical, and cyber bullying are prohibited in urban debate.
Youth leadership monitored by adult leaders. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by youth leaders and ensure that urban debate policies are followed.
Discipline must be constructive. Discipline used in urban debate should be constructive and reflect urban debate’s values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
Members are responsible to act according to the law. All members of the urban debate league are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the federal, state, and local laws. Physical violence, theft, verbal insults, drugs, and alcohol have no place in the urban debate program and may result in the revocation of a debater’s membership.
Leagues are responsible to enforce Youth Protection Policies. League leaders are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. The parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance.
Mandatory reporting of child abuse. All involved in urban debate are personally responsible to immediately report to law enforcement any belief or good faith suspicion that any child is or has been abused or exploited or endangered in any way. No person may abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.
Social media guidelines. The policy of two-deep leadership extends into cyberspace. Another adult leader should be copied on any electronic communication between adult and youth member.
Violations of any of these Youth Protection Policies must immediately be reported to the League Executive Director.
