Youth protection

A recent Key Club survey reported that 92% of Key Club members feel safe, secure and welcomed at Key Club meetings and events.
To be the premier provider of youth service clubs and programs, Kiwanis holds itself and its members to the highest standards of conduct and awareness. 

Kiwanis International has taken extensive action to equip Kiwanis clubs, districts and SLPs with the tools to provide safe and secure environments for youth. We follow the “ABCs of Youth Protection.”  

A: Access to high quality training. We require advisors and chaperones working with Key Clubs to complete youth protection, child abuse and sexual abuse prevention training. ALL Kiwanis members must review the Kiwanis International Youth Protection Policies on an annual basis.  

B: Background checks. We require Key Club advisors and adult volunteers to maintain a valid background check to work with youth.  

C: Culture of care. Today’s students report the highest levels of anxiety and stress of any generation. We want students to have resources to cope with these issues, to know how to get help and to be agents of change to improve their schools’ cultures.

Kiwanis Youth Protection Helpline is a free 24 hour/7 days helpline to report abuse and policy violations. Call 1-866-607-SAFE (7233) to talk to a trained professional. More information can be found at kiwanis.org/youthprotection. 

For members and advisors, resources also include:  

• • Youth protection training 
  • Youth protection policy training for chaperones 
  • A roster of youth protection managers for each Kiwanis district 
  • Policies and procedures 
  • Culture of care 
  • Youth Protection Week 
  • Background checks 
  • Bully prevention 
  • Kiwanis district administrators’ Code of Ethics

If you have questions about our resources or other youth-protection matters, email [email protected].