CHILD SAFETY
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
The West Cook YMCA makes it a top priority to ensure children are safe from abuse and able to learn, grow, and thrive. We are committed to creating programs that protect children from abuse and we are providing our families and community with information to keep kids safe everywhere. Our staff and volunteers are trained and we are an association accredited by Praesidium, the national leader in organizational abuse risk management.
WHO IS PRAESIDIUM
Praesidium specializes in preventing sexual abuse in organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults.
HOW TO PREVENT
We are passionate about working with kids to develop their potential, while helping them to learn, grow, and thrive.
WHAT TO DO
Respond if you see warning signs from your child or you hear about something that sounds like abuse, report it immediately.
Report YMCA Concerns or Policy Violations
If what you learn from your child, or if what you’ve observed or overheard sounds like abuse, call the Child Abuse Hotline or the police:
DCFS Child Abuse Hotline: 800.25.ABUSE (800.252.2873 or TTY 1.800.358.5117) or www.childabuse.gov.
If what you learn from your child, or if what you’ve observed or overheard sounds like a boundary violation, suspicious or inappropriate behavior, or a policy violation, then:
- Share your concerns with the employee, supervisor, or the person in charge. Be sure to follow up with both your child and the adult you’ve talked to.
- If you are unable to do this, you can share your concerns using the link below.