Keeping Children Safe

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Creating Safer Environments for Every Child

The Kenosha YMCA is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for everyone who enters our doors or participates in our programs. The safety and well-being of youth entrusted to our care is our highest priority, and we appreciate and are respectful of the trust parents and guardians place in the Y.

At the Y, we pledge to protect the children we serve. We have a series of safety measures in place to ensure we keep your children safe. Learn more about how the Y keeps your children safeguarded against abuse through staff training, protocols, and ongoing knowledge of awareness and prevention below.

The Kenosha YMCA works closely with Praesidium, the national leader in organizational abuse risk management.

How the Kenosha YMCA Protects Children

Screening – The Kenosha YMCA uses a thorough screening process for all employees and volunteers, including detailed applications, interviews and reference checks with questions related to abuse risk factors, as well as criminal background checks prior to hire to help ensure a safe environment for all participants.

Training – Comprehensive child abuse prevention training is mandatory to all YMCA employees and volunteers, and they are required to refresh their training annually. The goal is to educate on inappropriate conduct, while also teaching the warning signs of abuse.

Reporting – Should any allegation arise, the YMCA will proactively work with the authorities and all parties involved to respond in a prompt, thorough and empathetic manner.

Policy & Prevention – The Kenosha YMCA maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward child abuse and child endangerment. Staff are required to report any questionable behavior or violations of the Employee Code of Conduct. In addition, the YMCA follows the Praesidium Safety Equation and is currently in the process of obtaining Praesidium Accreditation, reinforcing our commitment to strong policies, ongoing prevention, and a culture of safety.

Know. See. Respond.

Together, let’s pledge to protect the youth in our community by practicing the three habits of child abuse protection each day. When we know and understand how abuse happens, see the warning signs and are prepared to respond quickly to prevent it, we create a culture of child abuse prevention that results in even safer environments for kids to reach their full potential.

1

KNOW

Learn how abuse happens and what prevention looks like. Understand the behaviors of those who may seek to harm children and how to recognize unsafe situations such as:

  • Excessive alone time, gifts, favoritism, or secrecy with a child
  • Boundary violations: inappropriate touch, messages, or sexual comments
  • Unsafe situations: isolated one-on-one contact or unmonitored online communication
2

SEE

Recognize the warning signs and boundary violations that may indicate a child is at risk

Examples are:

  • Sudden changes in a child’s behavior, fearfulness, withdrawal, or anxiety around certain people or unexplained injuries
  • Changes in adult behaviors such as harsh discipline, disengagement, seeking alone time with youth.
3

RESPOND

Take action when something seems wrong. You don’t need proof. Reasonable suspicion is enough to act.

Trust your instincts and report concerns to the appropriate authorities or organization leaders. Speaking up can feel difficult, but it may be the step that protects a child from harm.

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. 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:

  1. Share your concerns with the employee, supervisor, or the person in charge. You can find contact information in our YMCA Staff Directory. Be sure to follow up with both your child and the adult you’ve talked to.
  2. If you are unable to do this, you can share your concerns by submitting an anonymous report.

How You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse

You do not need proof that abuse is occurring to make a report, only reasonable suspicion. Reporting child sexual abuse is key in preventing and intervening in abuse.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.

If you would like to report a suspicion that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect, call the Wisconsin Child Abuse Hotline: 1.855.444.3911, or visit the Child Help Hotline website.

Child Protection Resources

Educational Videos and Information by Praesidium

• Abuse Prevention Introduction
• Recognize Abuse and it’s Warning Signs
• How to Talk to Youth About Abuse
• How to Respond to Child Abuse
• 6 Key Questions a Parent Should Ask of a Camp

Online Trainings

Online Trainings for Parents & Caregivers by U.S. Center for SafeSport 

The U.S. Center for SafeSport produces online abuse awareness and prevention courses.

Click here to access all online training materials. After following the link, click on the “Get Trained Now” button. This will take you to the Learning Management System, where you can create a free account and access the trainings.

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Online Training by Darkness to Light 

Darkness to Light offers training that specializes in the education and prevention of child sexual abuse, other forms of abuse and mandated reporting. Click here to access all online training materials.

Other Materials