Youth Protection

Youth Service International, Inc. is dedicated to providing a safe educational environment for those who participate in its activities, especially all minors. It does not tolerate any sexual or physical abuse on the part of staff, volunteers, or participants, including behavior that is objectively intimidating, physically or verbally. Also, staff and volunteers do not provide any illegal substances to the students nor permit their use. Every adult staff or volunteer submits to a background check, commits to follow a Code of Conduct, and undergoes abuse prevention training. Additional information about YSI’s youth protection policies can be found in its Safe Environment Policies & Procedures Handbook.

If you are aware of any abusive behavior please report it immediately to the Director of the program during which the abusive behavior took place, or in the case of an allegation against the Director, to the President of YSI (president@ysi.org). The Director of the program in conjunction with YSI’s Board will promptly investigate and resolve any such complaints or reports.  To report an incident, please use – if possible – this Incident Report.

As required by the applicable state law, the Director of the program in conjunction with YSI’s Board will report any allegations of abuse to the civil authorities. In addition, as provided by an agreement between YSI and the Prelature of Opus Dei, the Director, or the President of YSI, will inform the Directors of the Prelature of Opus Dei of any incidents which compromise the safe environment of YSI. Additional information about Opus Dei’s safe environment policies can be found here.