Our Commitment to Child Safety

Our Commitment to Child Safety

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION

As a youth-serving organization that reaches thousands of children and teens every year, the Y’s most important work is creating safe environments for young people. That any child or teen would experience harm in our care is unacceptable. Ensuring the safety and well-being of young people is foundational to everything we do at the Y to help them learn, grow and thrive.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AT THE Y

The Y does not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of children in its program by an adult or the mistreatment or abuse of one child by another child, including any behavior that is classified under the definition of bullying. Staff, volunteers, and the children in our programs are expected to act in a caring, honest, respectful and responsible manner.
 

SEE OUR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION POLICIES HERE

Screening & Hiring – All new hires go through an interview process, three reference checks, a criminal background check and sex offender check.

Training – All staff members complete child abuse prevention training and receive education on creating a child-safe environment. Staff members renew training every year.

Volunteers – Volunteers who will have ongoing interactions with children or young adults also complete thorough background checks and receive abuse prevention training annually.

Policies & Procedures – We maintain rigorous policies and procedures which are enforced at all locations to ensure that children are supervised at all times and no single staff person is ever alone with a child.

Prevention – The YMCA of Greenville partners with Praesidium, a team of experts in child abuse prevention, to assess all aspects of our programs and implement best practices. Additionally, the YMCA of Greenville operates under the YUSA Child Protection and Aquatics Safety Membership Qualification Standards.

Reporting – If any staff member or volunteer suspects or becomes aware of any inappropriate behavior toward a minor, they are to report the incident immediately.

SOMETHING REPORT

MAKE AN ANONYMOUS REPORT

If you suspect abuse or have seen something suspicious at our YMCAs, it is critical to take action. Make an report through the form below. You can remain anonymous.

SUBMIT A REPORT

report

 

REPORT AN INCIDENT

If you suspect abuse or neglect, it is critical to take action. Below are 24-hour hotlines where you can report concerns and seek help.

Child Neglect or Abuse

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please call the 24-hour Child Protective Services Hotline: 704-862-7555.

Anyone who suspects a Gaston County child is being abused or neglected or who thinks a Gaston County child may have died from being mistreated is required by North Carolina law to report this to our Social Services division. By law, the identity of the person making the report is kept private. The person who makes the report cannot be criminally or legally liable if the report was made in good faith.

Read more about signs of child abuse and neglect and reporting suspected abuse or neglect at the NC Division of Social Services website.

If you think the situation you are concerned about is an emergency, immediately call 911.

Adult / Elder Neglect or Abuse

If you suspect an adult is being abused, exploited, or is no longer able to take care of himself or herself, please call the 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline: 704-862-7575.

Anyone who suspects a Gaston County adult is being abused or neglected or who thinks a Gaston County adult may have died from being mistreated is required by North Carolina law to report this to our Social Services division. You may remain anonymous if you choose.

If you think the situation you are concerned about is an emergency, immediately call 911.

Information on the Shelter of Gaston County

The Shelter of Gaston County provides victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter, advocacy and support. Shelter of Gaston County 24-hour Crisis Line: 704-852-6000.

For more information about the Shelter, visit their Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center website.