5 Days of Action
Save the Date for the 2026 Campaign: April 13-17
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re 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, YMCA Southcoast is committing to the safety of all children in our community.
Home / Programs / Health & Wellness /
Help Prevent Child Abuse
At the Y, we believe every child should have the chance to explore their potential and discover what they can accomplish. Each day, we honor the confidence that parents and communities place in us. Whether through youth sports, summer day and overnight camps, preschool, or after-school programs, our Ys are dedicated to providing children with experiences that are safe, engaging, and full of fun.
Protecting children is our highest priority throughout the year. Each April, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, we join the Five Days of Action. By supporting this campaign and practicing strong prevention measures year-round, we reaffirm our commitment to keeping every child safe in our care.
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 6 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.
We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too. YMCA Southcoast is committed to year-round prevention, and we hope you are too. Stay connected and informed by visiting https://www.ymca.org/fivedaysofaction.