Child
Safety
THE Y WORKS TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED
The St. Cloud Area Family YMCA’s commitment to providing a safe environment for every individual who engages with us—especially children—is essential to our mission, reputation, and our viability as an organization.
The reality of the society in which we operate highlights the need for enhanced safety and security measures. One in 10 children in the U.S. will be sexually abused by the time he or she turns 18. In the majority of these cases, the perpetrator is a family member, friend, teacher, coach, or another child.
To meet the promise of our mission and cause, and to continue the Y’s leadership on these important social issues, we must do everything in our power to ensure the safety of everyone who enters our facilities and/or participates in our programs.
Safety First
With our commitment to providing a healthy atmosphere for the growth and development of children in mind, the Y has developed standards, guidelines, and training to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse.
YMCA SCREENING PROCEDURES
Y Team
All Y team members who have contact with children must complete a background screening. They will also go through training on recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse.
Members & Guests
We also screen all members, and guests against a national sex offender registry to allow us to continue to provide a safe, welcoming environment for every person at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA.
Volunteers
All Y volunteers who have contact with children must complete a background screening.
REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
Reporting is mandatory
All Y team members are recognized as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse under the State of Minnesota statutes and are therefore required to report any suspicion of abuse against those who participate in programs at the Y. This has been standard practice at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA for decades.
WITNESSING
ABUSE
- One in 10 children will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.
- Roughly 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser. Approximately 30% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members.
- At least 60% of children who are sexually abused will never report it.
- False reports are rare. Research shows that only 4–8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated.
REPORTING
ABUSE
You don’t need to have proof that abuse is occurring to make a report, only reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion means that you have witnessed maltreatment or boundary violations, either in the child and/or adult, or you have received a disclosure from a child about abuse, neglect, or boundary violations towards them. Child sexual abuse reports should be made to the police and/or state child protective services.
Contact the Darkness to Light Helpline by calling 866-FOR-LIGHT, or texting LIGHT to 741741. Questions will be answered by trained counselors at no charge.
