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Friday, July 22, 2022

Consider The Risk And Responsibility: Youth Employees And Interns Riding In City Vehicles

When your city team seeks to hire and employ temporary seasonal labor and interns, be aware of the risks associated with hiring minor employees and the responsibility of protecting them from any exposure to child sexual abuse. This responsibility also applies to youth participating in city programs.

For example, one point of concern is when youth ride in cars with adult city employees. By definition, a minor is anyone under the age of 18 years old. It’s important to remember that a “minor intern” still equals “child” for liability purposes. Having youth ride along in a vehicle with an adult staffer to help at remote locations away from city hall may not be the best practice.

Guidelines and training for your staff

If your city is hiring adult staff to work with youth programs, you are responsible for protecting minors in this context as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has guidelines on preventing child sexual abuse within youth-serving organizations

Here are the components of child sexual abuse prevention that your city should know and practice:

  1. Screen and select the best possible people for staff and volunteer positions, and screen out individuals who have sexually abused youth or are at risk to abuse.
  2. Provide guidelines on interactions between individuals to ensure the safety of youth in their interactions with employees/volunteers and with each other.
  3. Monitor behavior to prevent, recognize, and respond to inappropriate and harmful behaviors and to reinforce appropriate behaviors.
  4. Ensure safe environments to keep youth from situations in which they are at increased risk for sexual abuse.
  5. Respond quickly and appropriately to (1) inappropriate or harmful behavior, (2) infractions of child sexual abuse prevention policies, and (3) evidence or allegations of child sexual abuse.
  6. Provide training on child sexual abuse prevention to give people information and skills to help them prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.

It’s an uncomfortable topic, but sexual molestation claims can be a significant concern for cities, municipal insurers, and reinsurers. With thoughtful planning, cities can succeed in creating a safer place for youth.


Submitted by: Julie Jelen, Loss Control Consultant

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