Abuse and Neglect Policy
Lion’s Roar Dharma Center
It is the policy of Lion’s Roar Dharma Center (LRDC) to provide LRDC staff, volunteers, event attendees, visitors or any other person associated with situations having a material and significant link to LRDC programs or activities with an environment that is free of neglect and abuse. This document will present some definitions and examples but they are not inclusive of all forms of neglect and abuse that could be inflicted by or upon a staff member, a family member, a volunteer, a visitor, or any other person who attends an LRDC program or activity.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every LRDC staff member to immediately report any suspected incidence of neglect or abuse to the Administrator of LRDC or his or her designate. LRDC volunteers should report any suspected incidents of neglect or abuse observed in the course of their volunteer service, or other situations of worry or concern to that volunteer, to the LRDC Administrator. The Administrator or his or her designate shall, if warranted, immediately refer the incident report to the LRDC insurance carrier and thereafter follow the insurance company’s recommended procedures for complying with California legal reporting requirements. Abuse and neglect observations or suspicions, whether held by a LRDC staff member or volunteer, should be maintained as highly confidential, and should not be shared with third parties other than as may be required by law.
Administrator
It is the responsibility of the Administrator of LRDC or his or her designate to ensure that all Administrative persons (Director and Board of Directors) has read and understands this Neglect and Abuse Policy. The Policy shall be displayed prominently, available for all to access. Other actions taken by the LRDC Administrator or his or her designate in response to a report of neglect or abuse could include, but may not be limited to: a review of the Neglect and Abuse policy with the individual who is involved, disciplinary action against a staff member or volunteer, and/or if warranted refer the incident report to the LRDC insurance carrier and thereafter follow the insurance company’s recommended procedures for complying with California legal reporting requirements.
Definition and Examples of Neglect and Abuse
Neglect: Neglect is defined as the unwillingness of a staff member to provide essential care and supervision to a client. This care includes but is not limited to providing: proper nutrition, medical and mental health care, proper monitoring of activities of daily living, a clean and sanitary environment, and a safe environment that is free of hazards that could effect the health and/or safety of a client.
Physical Abuse: Physical Abuse is defined as the intentional infliction of harm to a client’s body. This includes, but is not limited to: hitting, pushing, pulling, pinching, twisting, bending, or manipulating any part of a client’s body in a manner that causes discomfort, pain and/or injury.
Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is defined as any physical or verbal interaction with a client that contains any sexual contact or content. This would include, but is not limited to: inappropriate touching, sexually oriented remarks or comments, remarks about a client’s sexual orientation, and/or remarks about a client’s private and/or personal sexual behavior.
Verbal Abuse: Verbal abuse is defined as any derogatory, demeaning, or insulting comments made to a client. Verbal abuse can also take the form of speaking to clients in harsh, angry, or loud tones. Teasing, joking, mocking, and playing tricks that are unwanted or done at a client’s expense are also a form of verbal abuse.
Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse is defined as excessive, aggressive or unreasonable demands on a client. This could include, but is not limited to: expectations that are beyond the level of understanding of a client, expectations that are above the tolerance level of a client, verbal attacks, degradation, humiliation, bullying, chronic rejection, crossing boundaries that compromise the personal space of a client, and/or confinement.