WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE
RESPOND If you see warning signs from your child or you hear about something that sounds like abuse, report it immediately.
If your child tells you about sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior, your response plays a big role in how your child understands abuse and how he/she recovers.
1.) Stay calm.
2.) Comfort your child.
3.) Listen carefully.
4.) Ask for examples.
5.) Do not threaten or criticize the person your child is accusing.
If what you learn from your child, or if what you've observed or overheard at practice, sounds like a boundary violation, suspicious or inappropriate behavior, or a policy violation, then interrupt the behavior and explain the rule, let a YMCA program director know about your concern.
If the person is in immediate danger/harm
If the person is not in immediate danger/harm
Fill out Suspected Child Abuse Reporting Form OR Contact the DCFS hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873)
REPORTING CONCERNS OR RULE VIOLATIONS
The West Cook YMCA believes employees, volunteers, parents/guardians and members have valuable thoughts and insights to share regarding our operations. Accordingly, the West Cook 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.
If you have any concerns related to the following areas: Inappropriate Behavior by Employees/Volunteers; Inappropriate Behavior by Consumers; Retaliation; and/or; Whistleblower complaints, please click on the form below to submit your concern to the proper department program director and Business and Administration Director within 5 – 10 business days after the event occurred. The Department Program Director or Business and Administration Director will meet with you to hear your concern and attempt to resolve the complaint within 10-15 business days. Following that meeting, the West Cook YMCA representative will provide a brief written response to you no later than 5-10 business days after the meeting that includes brief written findings on the issues raised and relief sought.
The West Cook 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.
The West Cook YMCA will provide written communication of any changes to this policy to all employees, volunteers, members, and parents/guardians.
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 our Y family.
West Cook YMCA SR Leadership Members to Contact
Luis Lazaro [email protected]
Rebecca Boblett [email protected]