Child Safety needs to be a Priority in Dance Studios
We are so lucky to be able to do what we do: sharing our love and passion for this art form that is dance and using it as a vehicle for joy, self-development, well-being and community spirit, amongst other things.
Who wouldn’t want to protect that and the people in it (students, families and staff)? In this blog, we will focus on the area of child safety and helping caregivers spot red (and green) flags when dealing with a dance studio. Leaving your children in the care of other adults during activities they practice, shouldn’t be worrisome and you should be able to trust professionals, and yet we continue to see way too many news and scandals about child abuse and inappropriate behaviour in the dance industry. Sadly, these stories are not isolated to the dance world, but continue to be common in the field of sports and other recreational activities.
Almost a decade has passed since the release of the final report of the Royal Commission into RG Dance and Australian Institute of Music, and it seems like zero improvement and no major changes have taken place when we are hit with the news of a Sydney dance studio being investigated following allegations of an instructor having engaged in inappropriate behaviour with students. This was earlier this year and surely it is now a distant memory for most people, while a daily nightmare for those involved. The dance teaching industry in Australia was found, once more, reflecting in disappointment about these unsafe adults that continue to cross paths with children who just want to dance, and wondering in frustration “How is this still happening?”
After 14 years operating, we’ve done, AND CONTINUE TO DO, our fair share of both writing and revising our child safety policies. It is work that is never done, so we actively invest in continuous training and development in youth protection in the recreational learning field. Through this, we have accumulated some knowledge that we think can be useful for families wanting to make sure their dance studio of choice is a safe place.
Checklist for caregivers:
✅ What to Look For in a Safe Dance Studio (Green Flags)
Windows or CCTV so you can see what’s happening inside the studio.
Open spaces with no areas where a teacher could be alone with a child.
Caregivers invited to sit in during treatments like physio if done on site.
Costume measurements explained clearly, done in a group setting, and with your child’s consent.
Caregivers required to help younger kids with bathroom needs.
Teachers and staff who answer emails or calls promptly and happily meet with you and your child.
All staff hold a valid Working With Children Check and are trained in child safety.
Volunteers at events are required to hold a Working with Children Check and receive clear communication about their role.
Studio policies, procedures and systems that are child-first, easy to understand, and shared openly with families.
Clear ways for children to speak up if they ever feel uncomfortable.
🚫 What to Be Cautious Of (Red Flags)
Staff who avoid questions, delay communication, or make caregivers feel like a nuisance.
Policies that protect the studio’s reputation rather than children’s safety - or no policies at all.
Dismissive comments like “we’ve never had a problem before” instead of clear processes for handling complaints or allegations.
No clear guidance for raising concerns or what to do if a child feels unsafe.
Caregivers discouraged from observing classes or having no visibility into studio spaces.
Teachers showing excessive physical affection that isn’t child-led or age-appropriate.
Teachers measuring or touching children without first explaining and asking for consent.
Staff taking young children to the toilet instead of caregivers being responsible.
Frequent use of “cover” teachers who may not be properly screened.
Little to no control over who is allowed backstage at concerts and performances.
Children pressured to push through pain, injury, or exhaustion for competitions or performances.
Obvious favouritism, with the same students repeatedly chosen while others are overlooked without explanation.
Teachers using harsh criticism, humiliation, or public comparisons instead of constructive feedback.
Comments about a child’s body, weight or appearance.
Dismissive attitudes toward children’s feelings (e.g. being told they’re “dramatic” or should “be quiet, that’s just how dance is”).
Teachers contacting students or caregivers via personal channels (texts, DMs etc) without clear boundaries.
Teachers following or engaging with children on social media. Despite this being normalised in our industry, it is an inappropriate balance of power.
Music, choreography, or costumes with mature or questionable themes (if you have to wonder, it’s likely inappropriate).
In summary…
This list is by no means exhaustive but it provides some key things to consider when choosing or screening your local dance studio.
Parents and caregivers don’t usually expect a dance studio to be unsafe - and nor should they. Trusting professionals is natural, and no family should ever feel guilty for “not seeing” a risk. The responsibility always lies with those who choose to abuse, not with caregivers or children.
What’s needed is an industry-wide regulatory body in Australia to set and enforce standards around child safety, professional conduct, instructor qualifications, and studio environments. Until that exists, the checklist above can help families make informed choices and ensure their child’s studio is a safe place.
If child safety is important to you in the dance studio setting, we invite you to check us out by booking a trial.
