Safe Community Initiative

As a community of rich cultural roots and diverse backgrounds, UVSA-Midwest is dedicated to creating a safe, non-oppressive, and accessible environment where individuals can thrive, while connecting with our mission and values. 

To achieve this, we have established our Safe Community Initiative (SCI) which includes policies and language that:

  • Defines UVSA-Midwest’s Zero Tolerance Policy;

  • Outlines reporting and due process procedures; and

  • Establishes internal screening, training, and accountability procedures.

All individuals who interact with our organization, whether they are representing, volunteering or attending our program(s), are expected to uphold these values and operate at the highest level of integrity in our community.

UVSA-Midwest leaders have compiled a Community Guidelines and Protocols document to help our members better understand our Safe Community Initiative. Our staff will have access to this document and an Internal Staff Community Guidelines and Protocols document which gives more focus on how our staff should execute these procedures.

UVSA-Midwest is committed to taking all reasonable steps to prevent harassment and abuse and will make every reasonable effort promptly and completely to address and correct any misconduct that may occur. Any individual is able to submit an incident report, an internal review request, and/or a negligence report knowing our Executive Board will do our best to resolve the incident and maintain a safe community.

The Safety and Wellness Handbook was created to guide our community towards promoting a safe and empowering community for UVSA-Midwest. It provides clear policies of how UVSA-Midwest addresses safety concerns as a reference for UVSA-Midwest staff and members to answer questions that may arise in the course of the engagement.