Below are a series of guidelines and protocols around how BBYO views healthy relationships and affirmative consent at BBYO programs.

Healthy relationships require mutual respect and affirmative consent. 

• Definition of healthy relationship: An honest, trustworthy, and respectful relationship in which there is open communication and a balanced give and take between partners.  
• Definition of affirmative consent: A freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and continuous specific agreement to engage in any intimate or sexual activity. 
• Consent and sexual harassment terms: As part of BBYO’s commitment to creating a mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically safe environment for all teens, these “Know Your Terms” posters are displayed throughout BBYO program facilities.
• Healthy platonic relationships and friendships also require mutual respect and affirmative consent for any physical interactions (hugs, hand-holding, putting arms around each other, taking pictures, etc.).  

What if my child reports that they have been a victim of sexual misconduct at a BBYO Program?  

Ways in which reporting can take place: 

What is BBYO going to do?

• In the event of an allegation of sexual misconduct that is criminal in nature occurring at a BBYO program, BBYO will act in compliance with local law and this may result in a call to local law enforcement. This decision is dictated by local law and BBYO policy. 
  • If a report is made to law enforcement, BBYO will not speak with any teens involved or parents about the details of the incident at hand without consulting with and getting permission from law enforcement. 
  • BBYO will contact parents of the teens involved to alert them to incident. 
  • In the event that Law Enforcement declines involvement, and/or the sexual misconduct does not involve criminal activity, BBYO staff will take the following steps: 
    • Speak with all teens involved separately.
    • Contact parents with teens involved to make them aware of the allegations.
    • Staff involved in reporting will meet with each teen separately again in case there is anything else they want to share.
    • Staff involved in reporting will share information with superiors and/or wellness staff and a disciplinary decision will be made/next steps taken.
    • Parents and teens involved will be told of plan and any disciplinary actions. 

What kind of communication will occur? 

• Teens will be spoken to individually and parents for all involved teens will be contacted. Only those who need to know to support the teen(s) involved and/or make a disciplinary decision will be communicated with.   

What confidentiality mechanisms will be in place? 

• BBYO does not publicly disseminate any information to the larger community, or to anyone who doesn’t need to know, in order to look into an issue or keep a teen safe.  
• There may be events or times where it is appropriate to share information. In the event that BBYO chooses or needs to share information, we will do so sensitively and with respect of all teens involved.  

What if my child reports that they have been a victim of sexual misconduct not at a BBYO Program?

• What is BBYO going to do?
  • Reporting teen will be asked what would make them feel safe and what next steps they would like taken.
  • Next steps may include:
    • Reporting to police—in this case the teen or their family would be the one to report to the authorities. BBYO staff can support the teen in that process.
    • Getting support from therapist or other professional
    • Sharing information with parents—in any moment where a teen's safety and well-being is harmed or at risk of being harmed BBYO staff must contact parents.
    • Potential safety-plan and implementation at BBYO programming moving forward.

What if my child is accused of sexual misconduct?

• To protect all teens involved, BBYO will not ask additional questions of teens involved without parental permission.  
• If a report is made to law enforcement, BBYO will not speak with any teens involved or parents about the details of the incident at hand without consulting with and getting permission from law enforcement.  
  • Should law enforcement be involved, BBYO will contact parents with teens involved to make them aware of the allegations.
  • BBYO will not continue looking into the allegations until law enforcement states that we are able to move forward.  
• In the event that Law Enforcement declines involvement, and/or the sexual misconduct does not involve criminal activity, BBYO staff will take the following steps:
  • Contact parents with teens involved to make them aware of the allegations.
  • Teen will have the opportunity to speak with their parents and will then be offered the opportunity to speak with staff with their parent.
  • BBYO leadership staff will gather to review the information gathered and decide regarding next steps and/or potential disciplinary action.
  • Wellness specialist and the Senior Director of the BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness will meet individually with all teens, and their parent/guardian, involved to inform of next steps and/or any disciplinary action.

Who will be notified?

• Parents and their teen will be notified.
• Depending on the situation, BBYO may notify child protective services and/or law enforcement.

What will happen if a teen is found to have engaged in sexual misconduct?

• BBYO are not finders of fact. In determining Code of Conduct violations, BBYO is not stating innocence or guilt but evaluating whether the BBYO Code of Conduct and Community Standards have been violated. With that understanding, the following guides BBYO’s decisions of whether a violation has taken place:  
  • The safety and protection of the alleged victim and/or perpetrator.
  • The safety and protection of all teens involved.  
  • The need to provide appropriate outreach to victims.  
  • The right of all persons to be treated fairly
  • The BBYO Code of Conduct and Community Standards
• Disciplinary action will be taken if the investigation reveals that a teen has acted in a manner that is not in alignment with state law, BBYO policy, or the BBYO Code of Conduct and Community Standards, even when the actions may be lawful. 
• Potential discipline may include:  
  • Required education prior to BBYO programming
  • Removal from a program
  • Inability to attend future BBYO program(s) or overnight(s)
  • Suspension from BBYO programming and activities
  • Loss of a regional or International board position
  • Expulsion from BBYO 

August 2026