CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT PREVENTION

1. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT PREVENTION YMCA OF GREATER GRAND RAPIDS

2. Objectives for Training • Understand both peer-to-peer and adult-to-child forms of abuse • The ability to identify warning signs, or red flags, of abuse in detail • Learn how to structure your programs to help prevent abuse from happening at our YMCA.

3. Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention • The Facts • Every year 90,000-120,000 cases of sexual abuse are reported in the United States • 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 17 • More than 90% of juvenile sex abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way • Every year there are approximately 3.6 million reports of child abuse reported • Of those reported, 6 million children are involved • A report is made every 10 seconds

4. Mandatory Reporting • Mandatory reports must be made when the reporter suspects or has reason to suspect any form of child abuse. All YMCA employees are mandated reporters. • This is extremely important, because only 1-4% of allegations from children are FALSE • Michigan Child Protection Law requires that all professionals who work with children are mandatory reporters • For more information on your local requirements and reporting procedures, please see your supervisor

5. 5 main types of abuse • 1. Physical Abuse: • Any intentional physical injury to a child (ex: hitting, biting) • 2. Emotional Abuse: • Emotional or psychological damage that causes a substantial change in the behavior or emotions of a child (ex: put downs, yelling, verbal abuse or the separation of a child from cherished possessions) • 3. Neglect: • Depriving the child of basic needs (ex: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education or adult supervision) • 4. Abandonment: • Leaving a child in unsafe circumstances (ex: unknown whereabouts of child or parents, or failing to keep reasonable contact with their children) • 5. Sexual Abuse: • Engaging in sexual activity with or sexually exploiting children (ex: referring to rape, inappropriate touching, the showing of inappropriate activity)

6. Peer-to-Peer Abuse(Most common form of abuse at YMCAs) • Over 80% of abuse reported involve one child taking advantage of another sexually; this is the fastest growing form of abuse. • Ranges from teens to the youngest children in your program • Real incidents reported include: • Young girl in a closed slide stopped by 2 boys asking to see her private parts • Teenage Counselor-in-Training fondling a 9 year old camper after lights out • A group of four young 6 and 7 year-old boys in thelocker room having oral sex

7. High Risk Areas for Peer-to-Peer Abuse • Bathrooms and Locker Rooms • Children are undressing or changing clothes and can find themselves unsupervised • It only takes a brief, unsupervised period of time for abuse to take place • Buses • Staff need to spread throughout the whole bus • Playground • Closed off places, such as certain slides or tubes • Aquatics Areas • Revealing nature of swimsuits and concealing nature of the water • Cabins • Children are left alone to change, sleep or just have free time • Any isolated areas at your site • Back stairwells, closets, reading rooms

8. Red Flags • Red flags are warning signs that indicate potential abusers. Recognizing them helps prevents abuse. • Bullying is often a precursor to sexual abuse • If we allow bullying to progress unchecked, it can grow to sexual abuse • You need to stop bullying anytime you see it • Sexualized behavior and language can identify children who are more likely to commit abusive acts • Mixed groups of age and gender offer more opportunities for abuse to happen • Uneven power dynamics between children, in size or development, create a relationship where abuse is more likely

9. TAKE ACTION!! • Taking action when you see a red flag situation can prevent abuse: • Stop bullying or sexualized behavior when you see it • Take immediate action and do not allow the behavior to continue • Pay attention to relationships between children • Try to avoid grouping children in ways that create a bully-victim or strong-weak dynamic • Segregate your programs, activities, and seating arrangements by age and sex with appropriate staff supervision throughout • Document each incident and share it with others • You won’t see every incident, but a written record can identify behavioral trends before abuse happens • Report each incident to your supervisor • Failure to document incidents can lead to more severe abuse to a child that could have been prevented if we had documented all incidents before

10. Supervision(Bathrooms and Locker Rooms) • Checking the bathroom first to make sure it’s empty and sending children one at a time prevents abuses. This is a great solution for mixed gender bathroom trips. • With a supervisory presence inside the doorway maintaining auditory contact with the kids, no abuse can happen. From the doorway, you can count the number of feet in each stall. As long as the kids know you can hear, and if necessary, see what’s going on, no abuse will happen • The buddy system creates a dangerous one-on-one relationship, in these private areas, where no one can stop abuse from happening. It should never be used in your programs. We would never allow staff to be one-on-one in the bathroom, so we should not allow children either. • The rule of 3, sending 3 or more kids to the bathroom alone, opens the door for children to gang up on an individual and for the same one-on-one problem, once the other kids leave.

11. Supervision(Bathrooms and Locker Rooms) cont. • Here are some practices to help you supervise all children in these areas: • Taking regular, group bathroom breaks • Positioning staff in these areas during high activity or transition times • Finding additional staff or volunteers at the site (supervisors, assistant coaches, directors, maintenance staff, etc.) to help out with the supervision

12. Steps to help prevent abuse • For youth sports practices and games, use parents, assistant coaches and staff to supervise bathroom trips. • Ask parents to take care of bathroom needs before practices and games • On buses, separate children by age and sex and have staff spread out and supervising behavior • All children’s heads should be in sight at all times • On playgrounds, be sure to spread out • Pay special attention to enclosed slides and other isolated areas • Cabins should be treated like locker rooms during changing times • Need an adult presence inside or roving between cabins whenever kids are in them • Regular facility sweeps should occur every 30 minutes and cover high risk areas like bathrooms, locker rooms and isolated areas • Look for children loitering or any groups of mixed age or gender

13. Adult-to-Child Abuse • Staff, volunteers, contractors, members and guests have been abusers at YMCAs like ours in the past • They look like anyone else in your facility and are attracted to youth programs • Real incidents: • Swimming instructor fondling young girls during swim lessons • Member exposes self in locker room- offering to pay child for sexual contact • Long time staff member involved in multiple child-serving organizations within his community has molested 27 boys

14. Adult Abuser Facts • These abusers are frighteningly good at what they do are also hard to pick out. • 97% have no criminal record • 90% of abusers are religious • 50% are college grads • 80% are or have been married Additionally, we are used to seeing them around the victim, as most abuse is done by someone the child knows • As a result… On average, convicted molesters abuse 120 children in their lifetime!

15. Profiles of Abusers(3 main types) • Preferential Abusers These molesters prefer sexual relationships with children, usually of a very specific type. They will patiently build relationships with children, so the best way to stop them is to catch them during that process or showing favoritism to a specific group or child. • Situational Abusers These abusers would prefer an adult relationship, but find themselves in a scenario where they have power over a child and no one is around to prevent the abuse. Preventing 1-on-1 situations is key to preventing this form of abuse. • Indiscriminate Abusers These abusers are extremely unstable and the most violent. They may abuse a young child one moment and a senior citizen the next. Watching for loitering adults around your programs and keeping kids closely supervised protects against these molesters.

16. 10 Common Signs of Child Abuse • Unexplained injuries • Changes in behavior • Returning to earlier behaviors • Fear of going home • Changes in eating • Changes in sleeping • Changes in school performance and attendance • Lack of personal care of hygiene • Risk-taking behaviors • Inappropriate sexual behaviors Some signs that a child is experiencing violence or abuse are more obvious than others. Trust your instincts.

17. High Risk Children • Certain children are also at a higher risk to be sexually abused. This can result from a lack of attention at home, which the abuser can use to their advantage by offering the children the care and attention they crave • Children from single parent homes are 77% more likely to be abused • Children from low income families are 18 times more likely to be abused • Protecting these children has lifelong impact • Abused children make up 40% of sex offenders, 76% of serial rapists and 33% of juvenile delinquents • Abused children are also 40 times more likely to deal with substance abuse and 14 times more likely to commit suicide

18. High Risk Areas • An important part of abuse prevention is understanding where it happens • Similar to peer-to-peer, High risk areas for adult-to-child abuse at your facilities can include bathrooms, locker rooms and any other isolated areas • However, the majority of adult-to-child abuse happens off-site • Abusers break our rules to build relationships with children, which allows them to have access to the children off-site, with no one around to intervene • This is why we must take action when we see any red flags or rule violations Catching inappropriate behavior is our chance to prevent abuse before it happens.

19. Grooming The process by which adult abusers patiently build predatory relationships and gain access off-site • The Grooming Process • Grooming starts with small rule violations and slightly inappropriate behavior to build trust (gifts, special attention, inappropriate lap sitting, hugs) • Then, the relationship progresses into private moments and more inappropriate conversations and actions (one-on-one time and discussions about sexual topics) • Once there is enough trust and power in the relationship, the abuse begins, usually away from your programs • At this point, the abuser makes the child feel like the abuse is normal and OK to do (the relationship often feels real and meaningful to the child, as if the molester truly cares about them) • On the other hand, the abuser knows enough about the child that they can now make very real threats to keep the child from telling

20. Case Study (Grooming) • The abuser gave the kids a cool drink on a hot day and asked them to keep it a secret (if the child couldn’t keep a little secret, he may tell about abuse so the process stops) • Abuser would then take the kids who passed the first test into a 1-on-1 situations with children in which he showed them pornography (if they are not interested in this, the process stops) • Abuser narrowed the over 2000 boys he “tested” down to the 27 he had strong enough relationships with to abuse • Once the sexual activity started, he told the kids “this is how you practice for girls” and “this is what college kids do” to make it seem okay • If necessary, he would also threaten them by saying they would not be able to come back to the program if they told anyone (As a result, many children stayed silent while he molested and raped more and more boys)

21. YOUR ROLE in preventing adult-to-child abuse • Screen all staff and volunteers • This is the first barrier that protects our YMCA against abuse • Report ALL red flag violations • We don’t catch abusers abusing, we catch them breaking the rules • Identifying and reporting high risk signs and inappropriate behaviors are our chance to prevent abuse before it happens • Protect yourself and adhere to our code of conduct • False allegations can happen, so it is vital that you follow all of our YMCAs rules and understand how to protect yourself and others

22. Screening • Screening is the first barrier between abusers and kids in your programs: The hiring process is a great time to set the tone for our association’s attitude about abuse prevention: • Clear statements on applications and in interviews about the importance you place on it can dissuade abusers from joining our YMCAs • The screening process should give you a well-rounded picture of the applicant • This is why interviews and reference checks from multiple sources must be completed and documented

23. Red Flags in the Hiring Process • Applications: missing or false information • References: if any reference is hesitant to recommend the applicant to work with kids • Background Checks: any major criminal history should eliminate the applicant, especially if it involves delinquency with minors • Code of Conduct: any reluctance to agree with our abuse prevention standards or expectations • Interview: During the interview, if the applicant expresses an excessive desire to work with a very specific age group or type of child

24. Code of Conduct • Our best defense against adult-to-child abuse is our YMCAs employee and volunteer code of conduct • Remember, we catch abusers breaking rules • It is crucial that you know, look for, and follow all of the policies our Association has in place. • Some of the most important include: • No one can be alone with a child • No outside contact in relationships that start at our YMCA (including online communication and babysitting for the children in your program) • No inappropriate touching and conversation • ALL kids are supervised at ALL times

25. Red Flag Behaviors • These examples come from actual abuse situations: • An Assistant Resident Camp Director • Gravitated toward certain campers, gave out his cell number to kids, had an apartment on camp with windows blacked out, was known to have children spend the night • A staff member • Called school aged girls in his program “sweetie” and “honey”, would often have the girls sit on lap and drink from his glass

26. Commonly ignored RED FLAGS • Favoring or giving special treatment to a child • Lap sitting in unnecessary instances (especially if the child is seated closer to the groin than the knee) • Tickling • Cell phone contact with children • Strange behavior around kids that makes staff uncomfortable

27. TAKE ACTION! • When you see a red flag behavior, take action!

28. Scenarios of how to TAKE ACTION • New employee sees a long-time staff member violate a rule • You may not feel comfortable confronting them, so report to your supervisor, either in person or anonymously. Make sure to document all witnesses that were present. • Supervisor sees a red flag • Document the incident and alert your supervisor to begin an investigation. Collect information from all parties and take additional steps as necessary. • Supervisor hears report of a red flag • Interview all parties involved, along with all witnesses. Document and involve another staff member in the interviews if possible and take appropriate action. • Supervisor does not act on your report • Climb the ladder and report to their supervisor and so on, until appropriate action is taken

29. Protecting Yourself • While false allegations are rare, following the code of conduct can protect you and your coworkers from them • Plan ahead for difficult scenarios (ex: as a youth sports coach, make sure that there is at least one other volunteer or staff member with you until the last child is picked up from practice) • Self-report accidental violations (ex: correct the situation and then self report the details) • If your program has special considerations, develop specific child protection rules and follow them

30. Appropriate/Inappropriate Touching • Appropriate Touching: • Pats on the shoulder or back • Touching hands, shoulders, arms • Holding hands (escorting young children) • Side hugs • High-Fives • Inappropriate Touching: • Wrestling • Touching bottom, chest or genital areas • Tickling • Full frontal hugs • Kisses on the mouth

31. Appropriate Touching • It is important to realize that the younger children in your program may need additional physical interaction. When it is needed, staff can hold, calm, soothe or assist children. This should be done in public view, appropriate to the age of the child and only when necessary.

32. Prevention Steps in Programs • Take the following steps to protect the kids in your programs • Follow the rules and ensure that others do too • The code of conduct exists to protect you and the children you serve • If you notice something, it is your responsibility to intervene • Take responsibility for every child • If you notice another coach, counselor or other staff member or volunteer break the rules with their own group of children, you need to take action • Look for warning signs in children • Only release children to approved adults • Pay close attention to the approved pick up list • Be aware of unknown adults around your program • Pleasantly approach unfamiliar faces you see near your group of kids and take extra precautions when you are off site

33. Prevention Steps Outside of Programs • Walk through high risk areas (sweeps of locker rooms, bathrooms, and any other isolated areas should be done at least every 30 minutes, look for strange behavior or loitering) • Look for inappropriate or red flag behavior from members, participants and guests • Report any inappropriate behavior and follow through to see that action is taken (trust your instincts and have the courage to stand up and say something- it could make the difference in the life of a child)

34. Parental Feedback • Another great way to prevent abuse it to educate and tell program parents, members and anyone else in your facilities or programs about your child protection rules • This can be accomplished through an Abuse Prevention Feedback System • Informs parents and members of rules and expectations of staff • Asks parents to report any concerns or violations and provides them with an easy way of contacting your organization • In programs that do involve 1-on-1 time, this piece is especially crucial: • Keeping an open dialogue with the parents, child and staff or volunteer can catch any deviation from approved activities

35. ConclusionRecap: What to Look For • Signs of abuse in Children • Radical changes in behavior • Withdrawing from normal activities • Bruises, unnatural injuries • Conversational hints about a past counselor who was “mean” or other mistreatment from adults • Signs of Abusers (Red Flags) • Bullying, sexualized behavior, taking advantage of other kids • Adults showing favoritism • Rule breaking (outside contact, 1-on-1, inappropriate touching) • Inconsistent stories/Incomplete Information • Patterns of inappropriate behavior

36. ConclusionRecap: What to Do • If a child reports abuse: • Collect as much information as you can • Comfort the child and assure them that it is not their fault • Report your observations to your supervisor and follow your local reporting guidelines • Follow up to ensure that action is taken to investigate and prevent further interactions between the child and the alleged abuser • If you see any red flag behaviors: • Take action and report the violation • Document your observations and share them in the investigation • Follow up to ensure that the behavior stops • Self-Report if you accidentally violate a rule • WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING CHILDREN, DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION!!!!

37. Conclusion Review of Objectives • Understand Peer-to-Peer and Adult-to-Child Abuse • Be able to identify signs of abuse and abusers • Learn what you can do to prevent abuse at our YMCA • Finally, ask yourself: If not me, who? If not now, When?

38. Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention • Thank you for your attention to this crucial safety information. • The safety of our kids is now in your hands. This training has prepared you to identify warning signs of abuse and to take the necessary steps to prevent both peer-to-peer and adult-to-child abuse. Now it is up to you to follow through and use this information every day in your role. The children in your program are depending on you to protect them. The extent of child sexual abuse today is frightening, but, with your leadership and action, we can prevent it. • Thank you for all you have done, and will do, to protect kids at our YMCA!

39. Thank You! Please continue to next slide for Quiz.

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