Nationwide, the YMCA has over 20,000 staff members and 500,000 volunteers. Offering youth development, healthy living, and playing an integral role in the local community, the Y is a nonprofit that aims to do good in communities. Sadly, sexual abuse occurs, even when an organization aims to do good.
Over a century of helping communities means the Y has changed many lives. Children and youth rely on the YMCA to protect them, whether they’re at a local facility or being cared for by Y employees and an off-site location. Yet, lives have been negatively impacted due to employees or volunteers who’ve engaged in abuse. When this occurs, you or your loved one have a right to seek justice against abuse. Unfortunately, nationwide:
- 62% of child victims never come forward
- 40% of victims tell a friend who promises to keep the information a secret instead of someone more likely to report the issue
Abuse claims related to the YMCA continue to come out year after year. If you or someone you love was or is being abused, reporting these crimes can be the first step in seeking justice and potentially save others from the same fate.
Our firm has 55+ years of experience and is staffed by unrelenting attorneys who fight daily to give victims a voice. Survivors of abuse deserve to have justice, funds to support therapy and other recovery needs, and their stories told if that’s what they wish. Bringing the abuse to light, especially when it’s happened within a program or institution, may also result in relief for dozens of other affected individuals.
Contact us today at (866) 446-7478 for a free, confidential consultation and to discuss your case against the YMCA.
Recent Reports Against the YMCA
A YMCA camp director was accused of sexual abuse and arrested in August of 2023; it has since been reported that this individual has worked at five different camp programs. Police reached out to the public and asked any victims of abuse to come forward after it was found that the director allegedly sexually assaulted someone under the age of 13.
The director was put on immediate administrative leave and is facing charges of:
- First-degree sexual abuse
- Endangering the welfare of a child
The arrest comes after an investigation from the New York’s Child Abuse Unit and the Orange County Child Protective Services. The YMCA branch that employed the director also reached out to the community and encouraged victims to speak up.
Protecting Your Child from Sexual Abuse
Children must be protected and feel safe in their before and after school programs. Parents can do everything in their power to prevent abuse, but all it takes is one employee to upend the security of a childcare or youth program.
Our YMCA sex abuse lawyers know that abuse can come from multiple people:
- Employees
- Other members
- Event participants
- Volunteers
It’s impossible to control everyone’s actions, but there are clear times when abuse may have been avoidable. For example, negligence can occur when employees allow for unsupervised restroom use, allowing for volunteers or even members to abuse others.
As a parent, you put your trust in the Y’s leadership and staff to prevent this breakdown of protection.
Give Your Children a Voice
If your child has concerns about inappropriate sexual behavior or has been abused, they need to have their voice heard and know that they can speak to someone about the unwanted contact or potential abuse. Encourage your child to speak to you if something “isn’t right” at the Y, or in any before or after-school program.
Parents and guardians need to have conversations with children about:
- Boundaries: Explain to the child that no one should make them feel uncomfortable or inappropriately touch them.
- Their Bodies: Children, especially when they’re younger, should learn the names of their body parts. They will be able to use this information to explain the abuse if it does happen.
- Speaking Up: Children and youth need to know that their parents are there for them, to listen and protect them, if they ever have an issue at the Y or another childcare program. Adults must check in with children, and ask how their day was, how their after-school program went, and see if they need to talk.
If you let your child know that you’re available for them to talk to and that they can speak to you without fear, it will foster an environment that encourages your child to tell you about abuse should it ever occur.
Even if you do everything right, the situation may not unfold as you expected. You might even report the abuse to Y and law enforcement, but no action may be taken to prevent further abuse. Filing a civil claim may be your only way to seek justice for your child and prevent other children from experiencing the same abuse.
Coming forward can save others from suffering abuse.
Understanding the Claim Process
For survivors of sexual abuse and their families, the claims process is not just about seeking damages; it’s about coming forward and holding responsible parties accountable.
Civil claims give survivors a voice – a chance to share their stories and enact policy changes to prevent future abuse.
Our attorneys will guide you through the claims process, which will typically involve:
- Gathering evidence and documentation related to the abuse. These can include witness statements or medical records.
- Determining who is at fault for the abuse, which will likely involve multiple parties.
- Pursuing a settlement, or when necessary, taking the case to court to protect your rights.
The attorneys at CohenMalad, LLP will advocate fiercely to protect your rights and hold negligent parties liable for their actions.
Explanation of Damages in YMCA Sexual Abuse Cases
Survivors of sexual abuse at a YMCA facility can seek a variety of damages, which our sex abuse lawyers can help you pursue.
Economic Damages
Sexual abuse inflicts serious physical and emotional harm on its victims. Often, that harm also takes a financial toll. Survivors and their families may incur a number of expenses in the process of treating that harm. These damages are quantifiable and considered economic damages. They can include compensation for:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization and emergency care
- Psychological treatment related to the abuse
- Legal fees
- Other out-of-pocket costs
When calculating economic damages, future costs will also be considered, including ongoing medications or counseling.
Non-Economic Damages
In cases of sexual abuse, non-economic damages are often a significant factor in the judgment award or settlement. Sexual abuse is extremely traumatic. Survivors often experience long-lasting, intangible effects that impact their quality of life.
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
These damages can be difficult to quantify, but the extent of the abuse, the duration of the abuse and the severity of the abuse experienced will be considered.
No amount of money can erase the pain and trauma experienced by abuse survivors. However, compensation can help ease the financial burden of seeking treatment and healing.
Our lawyers understand the emotional and sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases. We can help you pursue compensation and fight on your behalf while helping your family start healing.
Resources for Survivors
How Our YMCA Sex Abuse Lawyers Can Help
If you, your child, or a loved one is the victim of sex abuse at a YMCA facility, the compassionate attorneys at CohenMalad, LLP can help you pursue a claim.
Abuse can have lifelong effects. Responsible parties should be held accountable. We will advocate on your behalf while respecting the sensitive and private nature of your case.
Our attorneys have experience handling sexual abuse claims and can help you understand your options.
Call or contact us today to schedule a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation.
