Organization: On Location: MEMPHIS, Inc. (“OL:M”) Effective date: May 1, 2026 Applies to: Employees, contractors, teaching artists, volunteers, interns, board members, and any adult representing OL:M (“Covered Adults”)

1) Purpose

OL:M is committed to providing a safe environment for youth participants and to preventing child abuse, exploitation, harassment, and neglect in any OL:M activity involving minors. OL:M primarily does not work with minors; this policy is in place for the rare cases in which OL:M serves minors through workshops, on-set productions, or events.

2) Scope & youth served

OL:M primarily does not work with minors. This policy exists for the rare cases in which OL:M serves minors who are 17 years old (“Youth Participants”) through:

·         Workshops and training weekends

·         On-set productions and apprenticeship activities

·         Public events and screenings where youth may be present

3) Definitions

·         Minor/Child: Anyone under 18.

·         Abuse/Neglect: Physical abuse, sexual abuse/exploitation, emotional abuse, neglect, or any conduct that endangers a child.

·         Mandated reporting: Tennessee law may require certain individuals to report suspected child abuse. Regardless of role, OL:M requires reporting under this policy.

4) Guiding principles

·         Safety first: protect the child, then document and report.

·         No retaliation: good-faith reports are protected.

·         Need-to-know confidentiality: information is shared only with those who must act.

5) Standards of conduct (Code of Conduct summary)

Covered Adults must:

·         Treat Youth Participants with respect and maintain appropriate boundaries.

·         Use age-appropriate language and behavior.

·         Follow supervision rules and stay in observable areas.

·         Immediately report concerns.

Covered Adults must not:

·         Engage in any sexual contact, sexualized conversation, or grooming behaviors.

·         Use physical discipline, threats, humiliation, or intimidation.

·         Provide alcohol, drugs, nicotine products, or weapons.

·         Request or share sexual images or private images.

·         Communicate with Youth Participants in secretive ways (see Section 8).

6) Supervision & safety rules

6.1 Two-adult / observable environment

OL:M maintains a strict no 1:1 rule.

·         No Covered Adult may be alone with a Youth Participant in a room, vehicle, or isolated location.

·         Interactions must occur in observable settings (open doors, windows, public spaces, or within view of other adults).

6.2 On-set productions

·         Youth Participants must be assigned to supervised areas.

·         Changing areas/restrooms must be managed to prevent adult/youth isolation.

·         Scenes involving intimacy, nudity, or sexual content are prohibited for Youth Participants.

6.3 Transportation

·         OL:M discourages transporting Youth Participants.

·         If transportation is unavoidable, it must follow the no 1:1 rule (e.g., two adults present, or multiple youth present) and be pre-approved by the Executive Director.

7) Screening & background checks

·         Background checks are required for all Covered Adults who may have contact with Youth Participants.

·         Checks must be completed before the individual begins work.

·         OL:M may also conduct reference checks and require disclosure of relevant prior misconduct.

·         Individuals may be removed from youth-facing duties pending results or investigation.

8) Communications & digital safety

·         No private/direct messaging with Youth Participants.

·         Communications should include a parent/guardian (when applicable) and/or be conducted through official OL:M channels.

·         No disappearing messages.

·         Photos/video of Youth Participants require written consent (see consent form).

9) Prohibited behaviors (red flags)

Report immediately if you observe:

·         Favoritism, gifts, secret meetings, or attempts to isolate a youth

·         Boundary testing (sexual jokes, comments on body, private contact)

·         Requests for private photos or social media secrecy

·         Any physical contact that is not clearly appropriate and necessary

10) Reporting requirements (internal + external)

10.1 Immediate safety

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

10.2 Internal reporting to OL:M

All concerns, suspicions, disclosures, or policy violations must be reported immediately to the Executive Director.

·         If the concern involves the Executive Director, report to the Board Chair, Laquita Stokes, Esq.

10.3 External reporting (Tennessee)

OL:M requires prompt reporting to the appropriate Tennessee child protection authorities when abuse is suspected.

·         The Executive Director (or designee) will ensure a report is made.

·         Any individual may also report directly.

11) Responding to a disclosure (what to do)

If a Youth Participant discloses abuse:

·         Stay calm; listen.

·         Believe the child; thank them for telling you.

·         Do not promise secrecy.

·         Do not investigate or ask leading questions.

·         Write down the child’s exact words as soon as possible.

·         Report immediately per Section 10.

12) Documentation

Use the Incident Report Form to record:

·         Date/time/location

·         People involved and witnesses

·         What was observed or disclosed (verbatim when possible)

·         Actions taken (who was notified, when)

13) Enforcement

Violations may result in:

·         Removal from youth-facing duties

·         Termination of employment/contract/volunteer role

·         Notification to law enforcement or child protection authorities

14) Training & acknowledgments

·         Covered Adults must receive child safety orientation before youth contact.

·         Covered Adults must sign the Code of Conduct acknowledgment annually.

15) Review cycle

This policy will be reviewed at least annually by OL:M leadership and the board.