Youth Worker’s Unethical Behaviour Condemned

A 47 year old Bay of Plenty woman, Rose Oversluizen recently escaped criminal charges for having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old boy who she was in a ‘Youth Work’ relationship with.

In response, John Harrington, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa (the Network) stated ‘the behaviour of Rosie Oversluizen is deplorable and mars the credibility of the Youth Work Sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.’

Unfortunately, this isn’t the only case of a Youth Worker taking advantage of a young person when in a power relationship. Our sector does not condone this sort of behaviour.

A message needs to go out to Youth Workers’ employers to make sure they have robust and professional processes for screening potential employees, and internal systems for reviewing interaction with young people and the setting of any contact with young people.

John Harrington says “the relational nature of Youth Work makes it a high risk practice. The safety and well being of young people is paramount, both in the Youth Work environment and relationship”.

The Network last year launched a draft National Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand. The submission process on the draft code is due to close at the end of June, 2009, and a second edition will be published in early 2010.

The Draft Code of Ethics under the clause “Sexual Boundaries” states “that sexual acts between Youth Workers and young people they connect with in their capacity as a Youth Worker are never acceptable’ and “Sexual acts are never a valid form of therapy,education or assistance”

There is a consultation process underway regarding the setting up of an organisational structure that will hold both paid and voluntary Youth Workers accountable for their practice, including complaints procedures and a judicial process.

Tragically, the Youth Work Sector cannot currently hold Rosie Oversluizen accountable for her actions. Oversluizen could potentially be employed in another role working with young people elsewhere in New Zealand, where her past actions aren’t known. This highlights the need for a national accountability process for Youth Workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, which is a priority issue that the National Youth Workers Network Aotearoa is working on.

John Harrington is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth workers Network Aotearoa. For more information on the work of the organisation, and for a copy of the draft National Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand, visit www.youthworkers.net.nz

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