A Top Priority - Child Safety
Children's safety is our #1 priority. We focus on the child's safety and well-being throughout the match. We do this by providing:
- Thorough professional screening.
- Child safety and child abuse prevention education training/information for volunteers and children.
- Guidelines that establish appropriate boundaries and respect a child's right to feel safe.
- Ongoing BBBS Match Support contact with each party in the match. This helps provide up-to-date information about safety issues and early warnings of potential problems throughout the match relationship.
- The BBBS Match Support Specialist maintains required consistent scheduled contacts with each member of the match party.
As a Big you join other adults in playing a role to keep this child safe. Bigs need to model appropriate behavior as well as assume responsibility for their Little's safety during meetings.
Some safety issues to think about include the following:
- An Emergency
- A serious accident or a direct disclosure of current abuse are two situations that might require an immediate response. Big Brothers Big Sisters is not an on-call 24 hour service. If you are dealing with an emergency situation please call 911 to reach the appropriate emergency personnel. If you are in a school or site program, please notify school/site staff immediately. Your Match Support Specialist should be notified as soon as possible after the emergency is over.
- Internet safety
- Be aware that most things posted to the internet are not private. If you post things like blogs or photos that might include your Little, please make sure not to identify him or her or provide any personal details. Also know that anything you post on a personal webpage may be accessed by your Little. Make sure your content is appropriate for them to view or ensure your privacy.
- Little's medical condition
- We will make sure you are aware of any known medical condition or necessary medications and what to do if care is necessary.
Child Abuse Prevention
Though your Little may not make a direct disclosure, you may still have concerns for his/her safety. Please make sure to discuss these concerns with your Match Support Specialist so that we may be able to do all we can to support your Little and his/her family.
In cases where your Little directly discloses to you that she or he is being abused or mistreated in any way, it is important to:
Stay calm and listen. If you stay calm, this will help your Little to stay calm as well. By listening carefully and taking our Little seriously, you will help your Little to feel safer and more comfortable.
Determine whether or not your Little is in immediate danger. You might want to ask you Little, "Do you feel safe going home today?"
Let your Little know that you are concerned about their safety and ask your Little how you can help them: "Would you like me to help you tell______?" Often children will not want you to say anything to anyone. But, it is important to let them know that you want to help them feel safe and therefore you will need to tell school or agency staff.
Keep in mind that you may be the first person your Little feels safe sharing this information with. Or, you may be the first person who really hears and believes them.