This policy provides guidelines and procedures for employees, board members, volunteers, or anyone conducting or involved in individual youth programming on behalf of Madison Circus Space. Note that such individuals do not include outside vendors, contractors, or service providers unless they are directly involved with MCS youth programming.
Madison Circus Space has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse. We understand that protecting children is our most important responsibility. In every case, the report of molestation and abuse, or suspected molestation and abuse, will be treated with absolute priority.
Child abuse is defined as physical, sexual, emotional, or medical abuse as well as neglect of a child or children. The Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System Mandated Reporter Online Training is available as free resource to understand child abuse, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Familes provides a resource on signs of abuse.
Madison Circus Space encourages reporting all perceived incidents of child abuse involving MCS members, instructors, performers, space renters, staff, volunteers, or guests to the proper local authorities in accordance with state laws, and in writing to the Board of Directors at board@madisoncircusspace.com. In general, the person receiving the information about the abuse or neglect should report to the authorities/agencies and to the Board of Directors. It is not the responsibility of the individual to decide if an incident is valid, truthful, or worth reporting. This determination will be made by local authorities. MCS commits to investigate reports of incidents promptly and thoroughly within our purview as discreetly as possible and prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports child abuse.
Employees, board members, volunteers, or anyone conducting or involved in individual youth programming on behalf of Madison Circus Space must agree to immediately report any incident or allegation of child abuse to local child welfare agencies and/or law enforcement. Additionally, individuals must agree to immediately report any incident or allegation of child abuse to the Board of Directors. All individuals must be sensitive to the need for confidentiality in the handling of information and therefore should only discuss the incident with the reporting party.
At any time that employees, board members, volunteers, or anyone conducting or involved in individual youth programming on behalf of Madison Circus Space observe an act of child abuse, or learn of a violation of the policy, the following procedures must be followed:
- Individuals will immediately report all incidents, suspected incidents, or allegations of child abuse to the proper local authorities in accordance with state laws and to the Board of Directors. Report the incident in writing to board@madisoncircusspace.com.
- When the abuse is thought to have been perpetrated by the parent or guardian, a discussion should be held with the authorities to determine how contact with the parent/guardian should be handled to protect the safety of the child when they return home. Whenever possible and safe, the parent/guardian should be advised that contact is being made to the child abuse authorities.
- When an incident occurs or is reported, the Board of Directors will fill out an incident report. The incident report should be completed and submitted immediately and no more than 24 hours after the incident occurs or is brought to the attention of the Board. The report will be submitted to the appropriate authorities, who will be contacted by the Board of Directors or their designee.
- In the event the reported incident involves a staff member, instructor, student, space renter, member, or volunteer, they will be suspended from MCS immediately. Regardless of where, or under what circumstances the alleged incident takes place, if a staff or volunteer is involved, it will be considered as job-related. If the reported incident involves a staff member, they will be suspended with pay.
- The Board of Directors or their designee will lead the investigation of the incident. Madison Circus Space may utilize the services of a specialist in the investigation.
- The parents or legal guardians of the child or children involved in any incident will be communicated with only by the Board of Directors or their designee when a staff member or volunteer is involved in the allegation.
- Reinstatement of the staff member, instructor, student, space renter, member, or volunteer will occur only after all allegations have been cleared.
MCS will not be lenient in cases of child abuse. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, responsive action depends on the conclusions of the investigation. MCS will consider factors including the nature of the event, any similar cases about the same person or process, patterns of behavior, and degree of intention. We reserve the right to terminate the offending parties’ involvement with MCS immediately.
Employees, volunteers, contractors, or anyone conducting or involved in individual youth programming on behalf of Madison Circus Space must agree to a background check.
