Protecting our Children

At the Y, we practice three important habits of Child Abuse Prevention - KNOW, SEE and RESPOND - to create safe spaces where youth can learn, grow, and thrive. When we KNOW how abuse happens, SEE the warning signs and RESPOND quickly to prevent it, together we foster a culture of child abuse prevention.

We know when we understand the behaviors of those who harm youth and how to stop them. Staff and volunteers who practice the KNOW habit: 

• Understand the potential risks for abuse that children and teens face, and their role in protecting them at their Y. 
• Understand how predators operate. 
• Recognize the importance of proactive engagement when supervising youth.
• Interact appropriately and safely with youth at their Y. 
• Recognize appropriate and inappropriate interactions between adults and youth, and between youth
• Appreciate the difference they make when they practice the Three Habits in Child Abuse Prevention at their Y 
• Encourage others to adopt these prevention habits 
• Can explain what Know, See and Respond means when asked by a parent or community member
  
  We SEE when we can recognize warning signs or behaviors that signal abuse or a risk for abuse. Staff and volunteers who practice the SEE habit: 
   
• Interrupt inappropriate interactions between adults and youth, and between youth
• Respect children and teen’s emotional, psychological and physical boundaries—according to the YMCA’s policies— and ensure that others also follow the policies
• Notice and help when staff or volunteers need assistance with a child’s behavior
• Act when something seems wrong  and if they observe others not practicing the prevention habits
• We RESPOND when we take action to stop behaviors we recognize as being inappropriate or questionable.
  
  Staff and volunteers who practice the RESPOND habit:
   
• Act when children or others need help
• Interrupt questionable behavior by a staff member, volunteer or youth
• Notify the appropriate people at their Y when they have a concern 
• Can make a report to child protective services and/or police when they suspect child abuse.

If you have any questions about our Child Abuse Prevention practices or Know, See and Respond, please contact Rodney Murray at rmurray@ymcachattanooga.org