April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of the YMCA's commitment to protecting the children in our community, we join youth serving organizations across the country by participating in the Five Days of Action — a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it.
By taking part in this important campaign and through implementing abuse prevention practices year-round, we are committing to the safety of all children in our community.
The Five Days of Action enforces critically important habits — KNOW. SEE. RESPOND.— which enables us to understand how and when abuse happens, recognize the signs of abuse, and quickly and appropriately respond to it.
When we embrace these habits, we foster a culture of child abuse prevention — a culture of happy and healthy children.
KNOW
When evaluating camps, sports and other activities for your child, do you know what questions to ask about abuse prevention? As parents, caregivers and trusted adults, we play a vital role in protecting children and teens from abuse. Learn the key questions to ask from Praesidium, the YMCA's partner in child abuse prevention.
SEE
When we see grooming patterns - methodical, subtle, gradual and escalating behaviors used to groom a child for sexual abuse - we can identify them, strengthen our intuition and protect children. Learn the six grooming behaviors every parent or caregiver needs to know and what to do if you see them from our partner Saprea.
RESPOND
Responding starts when a child or teen feels heard and is helped. How can you take action to prevent child sexual abuse? The Trusted Triangle (for younger children) and the Safety NETwork (for older youth) are strategies from Lauren's Kids Safer, Smarter Families Family Safety Toolkit. These resources are designed to help families and caregivers teach personal and digital safety in a comfortable and accessible way.
Resources for grades K-2
Resources for grades 3-5
We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too.
