Discussion Questions
Items to guide a discussion around locker rooms relating to behavior requirements in youth or vulnerable adult-serving organizations.
- Do participants in our programs use locker rooms, changing rooms, or shared dressing spaces? In what contexts?
- Should adults ever be present in a locker room with participants? If so, under what circumstances and with what safeguards?
- Should adults use the same locker room facilities as participants? If not, what alternatives should be provided?
- What boundaries are necessary during group changing or showering times to preserve privacy and reduce risk?
- What level of supervision is needed to prevent inappropriate behavior without compromising participant dignity?
- How do we manage supervision when locker rooms are shared with the public (e.g., at pools or gyms)?
- Are there additional considerations for overnight programs or high-risk activities like aquatic programs?
- What policies do we need in place for photographing, filming, or phone use in locker rooms?
- How do we train staff to handle concerns that arise in these spaces (e.g., bullying, exposure, misconduct)?
- How do we ensure that locker room policies are inclusive of gender-diverse participants while maintaining safety for all?
Behavioral Requirements & Expectations
To help your organization describe expectations that reduce the risk of harm while respecting privacy, dignity, and program needs in locker room settings.
- Adults must not change clothes, shower, or undress in the presence of minors or vulnerable adults. Separate facilities, schedules, or physical dividers must always be used to maintain adult/youth privacy.
- Participants must be given access to facilities that align with their gender, consistent with applicable law and organizational policy. Staff must support this respectfully and confidentially, without making assumptions or drawing attention.
- We understand that locker rooms can be high-stress environments for some youth, especially during adolescence. Providing private changing options (e.g., stalls, alternate rooms) can reduce distress while preserving dignity and safety.
- Staff must not question or comment on a participant’s gender in locker room settings. Conversations about identity, facilities use, or privacy concerns must occur respectfully, and only when necessary.
- No adult may be alone in a locker room with a participant at any time. If a concern arises that requires privacy, a second adult must be alerted, and documentation completed immediately after.
- In gender-diverse or co-ed programs, additional safeguards must be used, such as separate changing rotations or pre-scheduled blocks. The goal is to eliminate unsupervised overlap or ambiguity while respecting participant needs.
- All locker room supervision must be passive and non-intrusive. Adults may monitor behavior from entrances or hallways, not within private changing areas.
- Phones, smartwatches, or recording devices are not permitted in locker rooms by staff or participants. Clear signage, enforcement, and consequences must reinforce this policy.
- Behavioral expectations in locker rooms must include guidance on respect, modesty, and personal boundaries, without shame or judgment. Expectations should be discussed with all participants at the start of each program.
- If a participant expresses discomfort due to gender-related concerns or facility setup, staff must respond supportively and escalate respectfully. Never dismiss or delay action. Discomfort should never be treated as resistance.