House of Hope Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy

House of Hope prohibits and does not tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct during any organization-related activity. House of Hope provides procedures for employees, volunteers, board members or any other victims of sexual abuse or misconduct to report such acts. Those reasonably suspected or believed to have committed sexual abuse or misconduct will be appropriately disciplined, up to and including termination of employment or organization involvement. No employee, volunteer, board member or other person, regardless of his or her title or position has the authority to commit or allow sexual abuse or misconduct. 

Definitions and Examples 

The following definitions or examples of sexual abuse, misconduct or harassment, may apply to any and/or all of the following persons – employees, volunteers or other third-parties. 

Sexual abuse or misconduct may include, but is not limited to: 

• Child sexual abuse – any sexual activity, involvement or attempt of sexual contact with a person who is a minor (under 18 years old) where consent is not or cannot be given. 

• Sexual activity with another who is legally incompetent or otherwise unable to give consent. 

• Physical assaults or violence, such as rape, sexual battery, abuse, molestation or any attempt to commit such acts. 

• Unwanted and intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature, such as touching, pinching, patting, brushing, massaging someone’s neck or shoulders and/or pulling against another’s body or clothes. 

• Material such as pornographic or sexually explicit images, posters, calendars or objects. 

• Unwelcome and inappropriate sexual activities, advances, comments, innuendoes, bullying, jokes, gestures, electronic communications or messages (e.g. email, text, social media, voicemail), exploitation, exposure, leering, stalking or invasion of sexual privacy. 

• A sexually hostile environment characterized as comments or conduct that unreasonably interferes with one’s work performance or ability to do the job or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. 

• Direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances will be a condition of employment or affiliation with the organization. 

Reporting Procedure 

Whether or not you are mandated as a reporter of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, House of Hope personnel are all mandated reporters. Immediately report suspected sexual abuse or misconduct to House of Hope directors or any board members. It is not required to directly confront the person who is the source of the report, question or complaint before notifying any of the individuals listed. House of Hope will take every reasonable measure to ensure that those named in complaint of misconduct, or are too closely associated with those involved in the complaint, will not be part of the investigative team. 

Information to report:

• Name (of child/vulnerable adult) and location 
• Suspected perpetrator’s name and relationship to the child/vulnerable adult (if known)
• Description of what you have seen and/or heard
• Names of others with knowledge of the abuse/incident 
• Your name and phone number (this information is kept confidential)

Anti-retaliation and False Allegations

House of Hope prohibits retaliation made against any employee, volunteer, board member or other person who lodges a good faith complaint of sexual abuse or misconduct or who participates in any related investigation. Making knowingly false or malicious accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. House of Hope prohibits making false or malicious sexual misconduct allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation. Anyone who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of organization involvement. 

Investigation and Follow-up 

House of Hope will take all allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct seriously and will promptly, thoroughly and equitably investigate whether misconduct has taken place. The organization may utilize an outside third-party to conduct an investigation of misconduct. House of Hope will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory/protective services agencies. House of Hope will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation. 

Reporting to Law Enforcement or Appropriate Child or Adult Protective Services 

House of Hope is committed to following the state and federal legal requirements for reporting allegations or incidents of sexual abuse or misconduct to appropriate law enforcement and child or adult protective services organizations. 

Employee and Worker Screening and Selection 

As part of its sexual abuse and misconduct prevention program, House of Hope is committed to maintaining a diligent screening program for prospective employees, volunteers and others that may have interaction with those employed by, associating with or serviced by House of Hope. The organization may utilize a variety of methods of screening and selection, including but not limited to applications, personal interviews, criminal background checks and personal and professional references. 

Supervision of Youth 

To provide a safe environment for minors, House of Hope strives that when the minor is present with just one adult, it is in a common space or a room with the door open during organization-related activities. The purpose is to avoid one-on-one interactions between adults and minors that are not easily observable by others.