Child Protection

At the YMCA, we believe ALL children deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Every day, we are proud and respectful of the trust that families and our community place in our YMCA. We work to ensure your children have a safe, fun-filled experience by following the below policies:

• Staff must always maintain sight and sound supervision; children are never left alone.

• Follow the “Rule of Three”: meaning staff are never left 1:1 with one child and follow enhanced guidelines if this situation arises unexpectedly.

• Specific rules are taught to staff regarding appropriate physical touch and verbal communication; frontal hugs, lap sitting, cuddling, etc. are prohibited.

• Pre-existing personal relationships with children must be disclosed and approved. No one-on-one contact between staff and youth outside the YMCA is allowed.

• Electronic communication of any kind between staff and youth is prohibited.

• Staff follow enhanced supervision guidelines in predetermined high-risk areas of the building.

• Only senior leadership and marketing staff are permitted to photograph youth in our care, and guardian approval is required for marketing use.

• All suspected abuse or neglect perpetrated by staff, families, or children will be reported within Massachusetts Mandated Reporter requirements.

You can help protect the youth in our care by reporting here if you observe any of the above policies being violated.

KNOW:

How to recognize boundary violations and how offenders operate. Teach youth in your life about their bodies, recognizing red flags from others, and give them tools to keep themselves safe. Offenders need access, privacy, and control over youth in order to offend. This resource provides more detail on how offenders operate and how to teach youth about boundaries.

SEE:

Keep your eyes and ears open in public locations with youth around. Pay attention to unusual behavior or comments from youth in your life, and follow up by finding a relaxed time to talk with them. Notify YMCA leadership or use our anonymous reporting form if suspicious behavior is observed in our Y.

RESPOND:

If a red flag scenario or abuse disclosure is made by youth in your life, report it immediately. When responding to youth, stay calm, listen carefully, ask for examples, and do not threaten or criticize the person the youth is accusing. This resource can help guide conversations with youth.