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Take action in response to the behaviors you notice based upon the knowledge you have to prevent inappropriate or questionable behaviors. If you see warning signs from your child or hear something that sounds like abuse, report it immediately.

If your child tells you about sexual abuse or other inappropriate behavior, your response plays a big role in how your child understands abuse and how they recover:

  • Stay calm.
  • Comfort your child.
  • Listen carefully.
  • Ask for examples.
  • Do not threaten/criticize the person your child is accusing.

If what you learn from your child, or what you observe or overhear during programming sounds like a boundary violation, suspicious/inappropriate behavior, or a policy violation, then interrupt the problematic behavior and explain the rule. We also encourage you to get in touch with a YMCA program director to make them aware of your concerns.

If you believe that the person is in immediate danger/at risk of immediate harm, call 911 immediately.

If you believe that the person is not at risk of immediate harm, contact the DCFS Hotline at 800-252-2873 or fill out our Anonymous Grievance Form.

ACCESS ANONYMOUS GRIEVANCE FORM

 

REPORTING CONCERNS/POLICY VIOLATIONS

The Bloomington-Normal YMCA believes employees, volunteers, parents/guardians and members have valuable thoughts and insights to share regarding our operations. Accordingly, the Bloomington-Normal YMCA encourages employees, volunteers, parents/guardians and members to share opinions, suggestions, concerns, questions and/or grievances about our policies, personnel, and/or other matters impacting the organization.

The Bloomington-Normal YMCA will protect the confidentiality of anyone who reports allegations or disclosures of abuse, or other violations of law or policy to the extent possible under law. Legal and civil authorities (police, child or adult protective services) may require confidential information in order to investigate any report of illegal conduct but this does not eliminate the requirement to maintain confidentiality within the organization and its employees, volunteers, and consumers.

If you have any concerns in areas that involve the health and safety of children within the YMCA's facility or participating in YMCA programming, please get in touch with our certified Praesidium Guardian:

CONTACT OUR PRAESIDIUM GUARDIAN

As a reminder, when we KNOW how abuse happens and SEE the warning signs we can RESPOND quickly to prevent it. Together we can foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Thank you for being a part of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA family.