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Where to Report Suspected Abuse
:
If
you see Child Abuse happening call the Police at 911
immediately.
What to DO when a child comes forward:
- Contact Law Enforcement 911 or Department of
Children Services 1-877-237-0004 immediately and without exception.
- Comfort and reassure the child when needed
- Arrange for immediate counseling, if needed
- Document
the information and your concerns in writing as soon as
possible
- Secure medical attention, if appropriate
- Keep the child separate from the alleged offender, if
possible
What NOT to DO when a child comes forward:
- Make promises you cannot keep
- Attempt to
investigate the allegations on your own
- Make the
child repeat the disclosure to other responsible adults
- Inform the alleged offended of the accusation or the
identity of the child
- Overreact, be judgmental of
become overly emotional in the presence of the child
- Confront the alleged offender
Ways to RESPOND when a
child comes forward:
- Go slowly and deliberately,
don't ask to much to quickly and don't pressure the child to
keep talking
- Reassure the child that he or she did
the right thing by telling
- Let the child know you
believe his or her story
- Tell the child it was not
his or her fault, repeat this message
- Keep you own
anger in check
- It is all right to say you are sorry
for what happened, but don't allow your feelings of sadness
or anger overwhelm the child's feelings or take precedence.
- Tell the child briefly what will happen next
- Give
continuing support for the courage and strength it took for
the child to tell.
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