Child Abuse Prevention
CHILD PROTECTION: KNOW, SEE, RESPOND
Ensuring children are safe from abuse and able to learn, grow and thrive is the highest priority of the YMCA. We are committed to creating programs that protect children from abuse, but we are also committed to providing our families and community with information to keep kids safe everywhere. It is the power of our community knowing, seeing and responding which will make it more difficult for offenders to abuse.
- One in 10 children will experience contact sexual abuse in the U.S. before age 18 [iii]
- As many as 93% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser. [xiv]
- One in 25 children (10-17) will receive an online sexual solicitation. [v]
- 60% of children who are sexually abused do not disclose[xvi]
What can you do to protect kids?
- Know
- How to recognize boundary violations and how offenders operate
- Teach your child rules about their bodies
- Learn about our Youth Protection Policy and let us know if someone is not compliant
- See
- Warning signs of abuse
- Emotional boundary violations
- Physical boundary violations
- Behavior boundary violations
- Respond
- Whether you suspect abuse, observe policy violations, or just have an odd feeling about someone or their behavior, acting is the most important role you can have.
- Concerned about child safety?
- Adults in Texas are mandated to report suspected abuse. Do so by calling the hotline or reporting online.
Hotline: 1.800.252.5400 – Report by hotline if a situation is urgent and needs to be investigated within 24 hours. Call 911 if a situation is an emergency that needs immediate attention.
Online: Texas Abuse Hotline (https://www.txabusehotline.org/)