Creating Safer Spaces for Children: A Community Commitment

By Emily Sparks

At Prevent Child Abuse Utah, we believe that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility that extends across families, schools, and every corner of our community. Recently, we had the opportunity to teach at The Ziegfeld Theatre in Ogden and provide training for their staff in Child Abuse Prevention and Mandated Reporting. Their commitment to keeping the children involved in their productions safe is a powerful example of how community organizations can take meaningful steps to protect the young people involved in their programs.

Spaces where children gather for education, recreation, or the arts can also be places where they are more vulnerable. Environments like dressing rooms, backstage areas, and one-on-one interactions with adults require thoughtful policies and clear boundaries to ensure every child feels safe and respected. By implementing specific policies and training staff to Recognize, Resist, and Report abuse, organizations can significantly reduce risk and create a culture of protection and prevention.

We thank The Ziegfeld Theatre for prioritizing the safety of the students involved in their academy program and the minors cast in their shows. Their proactive approach ensures that not only are children protected, but staff members are empowered with the knowledge and tools to respond appropriately if concerns arise. This kind of leadership sets a strong standard for others in the theatre community and other organizations that involve children.

The need for this education is huge. In Utah, 1 in 7 children will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18, and 91% of the time, the child is abused by someone within their circle of trust. This often means the perpetrator is also trusted by caregivers and other adults involved in that child’s life, making awareness and prevention efforts even more crucial.

For parents and caregivers, it’s important to ask questions when your child participates in community groups or extracurricular activities. Do the organizations have clear policies for supervision? Are staff trained in mandated reporting? Are there guidelines in place for private or semi-private spaces? These conversations can help ensure that your child is in a safe and supportive environment.

If you own or manage a youth-focused program, we encourage you to take proactive steps. Establish specific policies, train your staff, and create an environment where children feel empowered and protected. Prevent Child Abuse Utah offers resources and training to help you do just that. We invite community members to check out our Boundary Town course, an online training that provides certification in Child Abuse Prevention. This course is designed to give adults tools to recognize warning signs, set healthy boundaries, and take appropriate action when needed.

Together, we can build a community where every child is safe, supported, and able to thrive. If you’re interested in having a training at your organization or learning more about our presentations, please visit https://pcautah.org/school-and-community to request a training at your school or community organization. 

Prevention starts with awareness and education, and every educated adult makes a difference.