The Clemson Little Theatre (CLT) is committed to maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for all youth participants. CLT has zero tolerance for child abuse in any form. We prioritize the safety and well-being of young people through comprehensive protective measures, careful supervision, and clear guidelines for all interactions between adults and youth. This policy applies to all staff, Board members, cast members, students, volunteers, contractors, and anyone involved in CLT programs and productions. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to a Producer, Stage Manager, Teacher, Office Manager, Artistic Oversight Member, or any Board Member.
This policy establishes comprehensive youth protection standards for all CLT activities and programs. The following areas are covered by this policy:
For purposes of all areas of CLT's Youth Protection Policy and any related policies, the following definitions apply:
any person 18 years of age or older who is an actor, Board member, cast parent, employee, independent contractor, or volunteer at CLT.
any person 17 years of age or younger, involved in CLT programming, who is a student, actor, volunteer, intern, or employee, whether on-site or off-site. Individuals are considered a "Youth" at CLT throughout a particular program or production in which they are involved, even if they turn age 18 during the course of the program or production participation or are an 18-year-old high school student.
All non-public spaces including office space, bathroom, rehearsal room, classroom, and all dressing rooms (including those within or adjacent to the green room). The Rule of 3 must be strictly followed in all dressing rooms at all times.
Supervised areas with designated adult monitors where brief one-on-one interactions may occur as a practical necessity. This includes the green room when supervised by a designated parent volunteer. Any one-on-one time in these spaces should be very limited and temporary. If a child needs to remain in a semi-private space alone with an adult for a prolonged period, another adult should be notified and asked to join when possible.
any common space, accessible to the general public or to those granted security access to the facilities including lobbies, theatres and hallways.
CLT practices safe Adult to Youth ratios with a "Rule of 3", meaning no Adult will be one-on-one with Youth in Private Spaces. Semi-Private Spaces have modified supervision requirements as defined above. For the purposes of this Rule of 3, any Youth who starts the program or production at age 17 will be considered a Youth even if the individual turns 18 during their participation in the program or production.
Employees, independent contractors, Board members, adult cast members and any other adult volunteers who interact with and/or have any contact whatsoever with any Youth while volunteering with CLT will be required to undergo a criminal background check and be screened through the National Sex Offender Registry. The costs of all such checks and screening will be paid for by CLT and results will be stored for two years by CLT.
Adult volunteers who work outside of Youth's activities at CLT and who do not have any contact with children while volunteering with CLT will be screened through the National Sex Offender Registry only, with any such results will be stored for two years by CLT.
Any and all candidates for employment and/or independent contractor status with CLT, as well as all existing employees and independent contractors, will undergo a criminal background check process along with the screening through the National Sex Offender Registry. All such candidates and or existing employees or contractors must cooperate in completing all necessary paperwork in connection therewith. Employment and independent contractor status will be contingent on satisfactory background check results as determined by CLT in its sole discretion.
Safe Ratios / Rule of 3: CLT practices safe Adult to Youth ratios with a 'Rule of 3', meaning no Adult will be one-on-one with Youth in Private Space. Specific guidelines with respect to fraternization include, without limitation:
a. Adults must comply with the Rule of 3. However, should Adults need to work one-on-one with Youth (beginning of class while waiting for other students, end of class before student is picked up, during class for discussion, instruction, or coaching), the door to the Private Space will remain fully open (when applicable and safe to do so) providing visual access and connection to other areas of the building. Spaces such as bathrooms should never be used for one-on-one interactions.
b. Transportation of Youth: Adults associated with CLT may only transport Youth under the following circumstances: (1) in emergency situations, (2) when specifically authorized in writing by a parent/guardian for a CLT-sanctioned activity, or (3) when multiple Youth are transported together. Personal social trips or unauthorized individual rides are strictly prohibited.
c. Adults may not host or accept invitations to parties hosted by Youth or their family, unless the entire cast or class is invited and the Youth's parent/guardian is present.
d. We recognize that Adults may have relationships with a Youth's family outside of CLT (whether familial or otherwise) and section b and c do not apply to those relationships and apply only to CLT related rides or parties.
Adults are prohibited from "dating" Youth or otherwise having outside personal contact with Youth, or encouraging an emotional and/or sexual relationship with a Youth who is in any way affiliated with the Theatre or its programs. State laws prohibit sexual contact or sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of 16. Consent of a minor is irrelevant in the eyes of the law. This includes improper touching; one must be aware that even a casual gesture may cause emotional injury, particularly to a child.
In order to help employees, contractors, Board members, and volunteers of CLT with providing a safe environment for all Youth CLT participants, CLT provides the following guidelines in regard to appropriate touching.
a. Hugs and other forms of appropriate physical affection between CLT staff, independent contractors, Board members and volunteers are important and generally suitable in our environment of expressing oneself where the adults involved consent thereto.
b. However, such physical touching should be appropriate in nature and closely monitored in relation to CLT's Youth, with any physical touching being appropriate to the situation, needs and/or age of the Youth. For example, it may be appropriate for a young child (ages 5-7) to sit on the lap of an adult during a class activity, but it is generally never appropriate for older children or teenagers to do the same.
c. Any and all touching should be initiated by the Youth and should be an appropriate response to their need for comforting, encouragement, or affection. It should not be based upon the adult's emotional need.
d. Any such appropriate touching should only occur in the presence of other staff, volunteers or independent contractors as it is much less likely that touching will be inappropriate or misconstrued as such when two adults are present and the touching is open to observation.
e. A Youth's preference not to be touched should be respected at all times and no adult should ever force touching or affection upon a reluctant Youth.
f. When touching a Youth, it is generally appropriate to touch the hand, shoulder or upper back. However, it is never appropriate to touch a child on any areas that would normally be covered by a bathing suit or that would otherwise be deemed objectionable for any reason.
g. Staff, volunteers and independent contractors must promptly report to a Producer, Stage Manager, Teacher, Office Manager, Artistic Oversight Member, or Board Member any inappropriate behavior or touching by other adults.
h. Touching is considered appropriate if necessary to protect a Youth from accident or injury or as required by nature of business (such as costuming, etc.).
Adults and Youth are expected to conduct themselves with respectful behavior and to use age appropriate language at all times. Sharing of inappropriate language, images, materials and content is prohibited.
Adults are not permitted to be "friends" with or to follow Youth on any social media platforms, to send email and/or text messages, conduct phone calls, photograph or post images of Youth outside of formal communication relevant to the business of CLT. Where pre-existing relationships exist between an Adult and a Youth related to social media or other electronic communication, the Adult will notify in writing a Producer, Teacher, Office Manager, Artistic Oversight Member, or Board Member.
South Carolina law requires that certain professionals (including Educational professionals) report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, because they have unique opportunities to observe and interact with children. While the law does not specifically mention non-profit arts organizations like CLT, it does encourage all persons to report.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact the SCDSS 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-888-CARE4US or 1-888-227-3487. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Intake staff will assist the person making the report and assess the information provided to determine if an investigation is necessary. Contact 911 immediately if the situation is a life-threatening emergency.
An emergency is a situation where a child appears to face an immediate risk of abuse or neglect that could result in death or serious harm. In addition, the reporter should notify one of the following as soon as possible: a Producer, Stage Manager, Teacher, Office Manager, Artistic Oversight Member, or Board Member.
CLT strictly prohibits retaliation against any person of any form in response to reports made in good faith under this policy, including retaliation against the reporter, the child with respect to whom the report was made, or anyone involved in a related investigation. Individuals who are found to have engaged in retaliation will be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. If there are any questions or concerns about retaliation please contact a Producer, Stage Manager, Teacher, Office Manager, Artistic Oversight Member, or Board Member.
Interaction with Youth that violates CLT policies will result in discipline, up to and including termination, as well as reporting of the incident to relevant authorities as required by law.
I have read and understand The Clemson Little Theatre Youth Protection Policy and agree to abide by all terms set forth therein.
As a condition of my potential employment/Board member/volunteer/and/or independent contractor status with The Clemson Little Theatre (CLT), I understand that CLT will conduct a criminal background check on me. I hereby consent to and agree to said background check as set forth in greater detail below.
By signing this Acknowledgement and Authorization, I authorize CLT and/or its agents or third-parties hired by CLT, to access any and all such relevant information as may be necessary to complete a criminal background check on me and/or any other background check deemed necessary by CLT for the purposes of my association with CLT as an employee, volunteer or independent contractor. I understand that the information obtained about me may include, but may not be limited to, my driving record, any records of my having been arrested, any civil or criminal legal proceedings in which I have been involved, and/or other information about me that can be legally obtained with or without my consent. I hereby consent to CLT's obtaining such information about me, and this writing shall serve as my consent for any person in possession of such information to provide it to CLT. In consideration of CLT's willingness to consider my application to be an employee, volunteer or independent contractor of CLT, I hereby release from liability all persons and/or entities supplying any such information in connection with any such background check. I hereby release CLT from any and all liability which may arise from the reasonable use of any such information obtained by way thereof for the purpose of determining if I be associated with CLT as an employee, volunteer or independent contractor. I agree to hold CLT harmless from any damages resulting from CLT requesting and/or obtaining the information described herein. I agree that a copy of this signed Acknowledgement and Authorization may be accepted with the same authority as the original. I understand that upon my request, I will be given a copy of the background report.
I believe to the best of my knowledge that all information provided on this page is accurate, true and correct, and that I fully understand the terms of the Acknowledgement and Authorization. All of the information below is required, please fill it out completely.
Please note your social security number may be required in the event screenings return multiple results for individuals with the same name. Should this happen you will be contacted directly by CLT staff.
Please sign and return this form to The Clemson Little Theatre
Submit completed forms to: CLT Office/Production Manager or email to: cltplays@gmail.com