Child Protection, Sexual Misconduct Prevention, and Reporting Policy
Nov 03, 2026 03:49 AM
Collective Dance Studio LLC
Child Protection, Sexual Misconduct Prevention, and Reporting Policy
Effective Date: October 12, 2026
Policy Review: Annually and whenever studio procedures change
1. Purpose and Commitment
Collective Dance Studio LLC is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students. Sexual abuse, molestation, exploitation, harassment, and inappropriate physical or verbal conduct involving a student are strictly prohibited.
This policy establishes procedures to protect students, promote appropriate instructor-student boundaries, and respond promptly to concerns or allegations of misconduct.
2. Supervision and One-on-One Interactions
Students will be supervised during studio classes and activities.
Instructors will avoid isolated, unsupervised one-on-one situations with students whenever possible. Individual instruction or necessary conversations will take place in an observable area where other adults can see or reasonably monitor the interaction.
Studio doors and viewing areas will remain accessible whenever practical.
Students will not be transported in an instructor’s personal vehicle or taken off-site without appropriate parent or guardian authorization and a legitimate studio-related reason.
Visitors and individuals who are not authorized to work with students will not be permitted unsupervised access to children.
3. Appropriate Physical Contact and Professional Boundaries
Physical contact will be limited to appropriate, necessary dance instruction, safety assistance, and age-appropriate encouragement.
Instructors will explain or demonstrate corrections in an appropriate manner and respect a student's personal boundaries and comfort level.
Instructors will never engage in sexualized contact, inappropriate touching, sexual comments, grooming behaviors, or any other sexually inappropriate conduct with a student.
Students will not be asked to keep inappropriate interactions or communications secret.
Personal communications with students will remain professional, age-appropriate, and transparent to parents or guardians. Private or secretive communications with minors are prohibited.
4. Restrooms, Changing, and Personal Care
Students will be encouraged to use the restroom independently when developmentally appropriate.
Any necessary assistance will be limited to what is reasonably needed for the child's safety and care, with parent or guardian involvement when appropriate.
Instructors will respect student privacy during restroom use and changing and will not engage in unnecessary physical assistance or exposure.
Parents or guardians will be responsible for assisting children who need personal care beyond the instructor's appropriate role.
5. Screening and Accountability
Before any employee, substitute instructor, or volunteer is permitted to work with students, Collective Dance Studio will evaluate their suitability for working with children and conduct appropriate background screening, reference checks, and other screening measures as applicable.
Anyone working with students will be expected to understand and follow this policy.
Any individual who violates this policy may be removed from student contact and may face termination of their role or other appropriate action.
The studio owner will review this policy at least annually and communicate relevant expectations to any staff or volunteers.
6. Reporting Concerns and Allegations
Any suspected abuse, sexual misconduct, inappropriate contact, or violation of this policy must be taken seriously and addressed promptly.
Any person who suspects child abuse or neglect must make a report to the Indiana Department of Child Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556, as required by Indiana law. In an immediate emergency, call 911.
Reports will not be delayed while the studio conducts its own review or contacts a parent or guardian.
The studio owner will document the concern, including the date, individuals involved, relevant observations or statements, and actions taken, while protecting confidentiality to the extent possible.
If an allegation involves an instructor, employee, or volunteer, that individual will be removed from student contact while appropriate next steps are determined. Any investigation will be left to the appropriate authorities.
Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern or makes a good-faith report is prohibited.
7. Implementation
The studio owner is responsible for implementing this policy, maintaining a copy with studio records, reviewing procedures as the studio grows, and ensuring that any future employees or volunteers are informed of and agree to follow these requirements.
Approved by: Kayla Smith
Title: Owner, Collective Dance Studio, LLC
Date: 10/12/26