The safety of youth is the primary focus of these Guidelines. Decisions to report to police and law enforcement should be made based on the facts and circumstances of the situation. If there is a potential risk of immediate harm then 911 should be called. However, in other situations, such as incidents of alleged inappropriate touching or abuse, the decision to involve police should be made by the victim and their parent or guardian. Any report of inappropriate abuse or neglect must be reported to state child protective services (see mandated reporting procedure for child abuse and/or neglect).

We recognize the role of discrimination and racism in our legal system, and seek to keep UUA interaction focused on human welfare and restorative practices whenever possible. In general, reporting to legal authorities will center on harm prevention and victim empowerment.

• Unless there is risk of immediate and/or serious harm, child abuse should be reported to child protective services rather than law enforcement.

• UUA staff and leaders will support the victim(s) and their families if they choose to pursue a criminal complaint with law enforcement.

• Where there are local restorative justice organizations for responding to criminal complaints, we will support victims if they make this choice.

• In situations where UUA staff, participants or property is not the target of a crime, staff will only report crimes to the police if doing so is necessary to prevent further immediate harm (for instance in cases of an armed attacker)

• If law enforcement is called to an event, leaders will consider the full possible impact of law enforcement’s involvement on the range of identities held by participants and provide as much support as possible.