Youth Protection & Compliance

The University of Wisconsin—Madison oversees many different types of youth activities. Some of these youth activities include residential programs, commuter programs, one-day activities, internships, or 4-H events.

These youth activities are required to comply with various campus policies, state laws, and federal laws. One of those laws is Title IX, which protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities. Additionally, the UW—Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence prohibits sexual misconduct, and outlines ways to support those who experience sexual misconduct.

One of the ways that the University provides support is through the Youth & Family Resource Guide. This guide is focused on the needs of youth participating in UW—Madison programs and activities who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation.

This guide helps youth and families find the tools and support they need, both on and off the UW—Madison campus. It also provides options for confidential resources, such as counseling or advocacy, as well as non-confidential resources, such as law enforcement or Child Protective Services.

There are additional support options for youth and families, including protective measures or accommodations. If you have questions about the support and reporting options available to you or your family, please contact the Deputy Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator for Youth Programs at lindsey.peterson@wisc.edu.

The Sexual Misconduct and Clery Crimes in Youth Activities: Reporting and Prevention training combines and abbreviates elements from three other trainings:

• Prevent Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
• Responsible Employee
• Campus Security Authority (CSA)

In addition to combining content from the three trainings above, this course’s content is geared toward those who work with youth. It is required for University employees and volunteers whose duties include supervision and/or custodial care of minor(s) in a youth activity. This training is required on an annual basis.

Note: If you are not responsible for the custodial care or supervision of minor(s) in a youth activity, you are not required to take this training. Please see the Office of Youth Protection’s Taxonomy of Youth Activities for examples of youth activities that do not take custodial care of minors.

Sexual Misconduct and Clery Crimes in Youth Activities: Reporting and Prevention Training

Office of Compliance Training Requirements

Prevent Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence Training is required for all University employees. Authorized Custodians must complete this training every three years. In place of this training, Authorized Assistant Custodians who are not University employees must instead complete the Sexual Misconduct and Clery Crimes in Youth Activities: Reporting and Prevention Training to meet their requirements.

Responsible Employee Training

• Authorized Custodians: Required to complete this training annually.
• Authorized Assistant Custodians: Required to complete the Sexual Misconduct and Clery Crimes in Youth Activities: Reporting and Prevention training annually to meet Responsible Employee requirements. This requirement applies to anyone who is responsible for the custodial care and/or supervision of minor(s) in a youth activity.

Additional University Training Requirements

Based on the nature of your youth activity, additional training and/or credentialing may be required for staff and volunteers. Examples include:

• Campus Security Authority (CSA) training
• Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (OYP) training
• Office of Youth Protection Program Staff Training page

All Authorized Assistant Custodians and Authorized Custodians are considered Responsible Employees (REs) while working in a youth program or activity. This designation applies to anyone who is responsible for the custodial care and/or supervision of minor(s) in a youth activity. These individuals are required to report to the Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program any information they receive that suggests a violation of the UW—Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence has occurred or is occurring. This includes reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking.

Reporting Responsibilities:

1. Authorized Custodians must report incidents using the Campus Incident Reporting Form.
2. Authorized Assistant Custodians must report either through their supervisor or directly using the Campus Incident Reporting Form. Supervisors must assist an Authorized Assistant Custodian who requests help with submitting the report.

Not sure where to report?

The handout Incident Reporting Obligations in Youth Activities provides an overview of the types of incidents and how to report them. An incident may fit definitions in more than one category. In order to meet reporting obligations, you may need to make more than one report.

To learn more about reporting requirements during virtual programs, see the Incident Reporting in a Virtual Environment handout.

Already know where to report?

For Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, use the Campus Incident Reporting Form.

For Clery Crimes on Campus, use the Campus Incident Reporting Form.

For Child Abuse and/or Neglect call local police or Child Protective Services (CPS).

For other incidents that occur in youth activities (such as accidental injury, cybersecurity concerns, etc.) please consult with your supervisor for documentation requirements.

Find all the requirements for hosting youth programs and activities at UW—Madison. The Office of Youth Protection (OYP) provides resources for program directors and staff who are planning activities with minors under age 18.

UW—Madison activities for youth under age 18 are required to register with OYP.

Please see the Policies page on the Office of Youth Protection website.