FAQs

What are the Praesidium Standards?

Praesidium’s Standards are a set of guidelines that outline best practices for abuse prevention in any consumer-serving organization. They cover eight operational areas of the Praesidium Safety Equation®: Policies, Screening & Selection, Training, Monitoring & Supervision, Internal Feedback Systems, Responding, Consumer Participation, and Administrative Practices.

How were the standards developed?

Praesidium Standards are built on over three decades of research, root cause analyses of thousands of abuse cases, and ongoing partnerships with schools, youth-serving organizations, social service agencies, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, universities, and others. Each standard includes clear criteria and rationales to ensure they are practical and evidence-based.

Are the standards one-size-fits-all?

No. While all organizations must meet the critical core components, some standards only apply if relevant to your setting. This makes the framework flexible enough for a camp, school, healthcare provider, or faith community, while still ensuring consistency and accountability across all organizations.

Why do the standards cover so many areas?

Abuse prevention cannot rely on one safeguard. Our Safety Equation shows that risks appear across policies, training, supervision, leadership, and more. Addressing all eight operations creates a comprehensive safety net rather than relying on any single control.

How often are the standards revised?

Praesidium revises its Standards periodically to ensure they reflect the most current research, field insights, and lessons from thousands of site visits. Revisions are not about making the standards stricter or looser, but about making them more innovative and more effective.

Why do revisions matter?

Abuse prevention is a dynamic field. New risks emerge, technology changes, and organizations develop new practices. Updating the standards ensures that organizations accredited by Praesidium are aligned with the best and most effective prevention strategies.

How will I know which version of the standards I’m using in the Praesidium Assessment Tool?

The Assessment Tool includes a clear indicator in all applicable areas of the site showing which version of the standards you are working under. Each version is labeled so you will always know which one applies to your organization’s cycle.