Everyone has a moral responsibility to report suspected child abuse,
neglect, or child endangerment. Reporting can usually be done
confidentially and -- contrary to popular belief -- the general
intervention response is not to immediately remove the child to
protective custody.
Furthermore
if you are a teacher or professional caregiver, you
are legally required or "mandated" to report even your
suspicions of child abuse. Failure to report can lead to
serious fines and even jail time if it is ever discovered that you
knew something and did not immediately report it.
Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse &
Neglect
(PDF)-- An
explanation of who must report. Includes information for each
state and requirements regarding privileged communications.
1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you've ever wondered what to do about
suspected abuse this the site to visit. Childhelp
will explain
what exactly is
child abuse, discuss the exact nature of the your particular
situation, and tell you who to contact should you need to file a report.
Childhelp is an especially useful resource for those times when you are
concerned for the welfare of a child but don't know if it's appropriate
to intervene. Their caring, informed counselors will help you more
accurately assess the situation and determine the most appropriate
response.
All calls to the hotline are free and
anonymous.
If you suspect or have witnessed child
abuse, if you are a parent who fears you are harming your child,
if you are a young person who is being hurt, we strongly urge you
call their free 800 number
(1-800-422-4453)
for a no cost, confidential person to person discussion with a hotline
counselor --
available to take calls any time of
the day or night, seven days a week. The crisis counselors can put
you in touch with local agencies and support group that can help find
the solutions you need.
Childhelp also offers useful
online tips and articles, as well as treatment centers for
severely abused children. Contact them today to learn more.
This is an excellent resource for
educating yourself and others about the detection, treatment, and
prevention of child abuse. Here you will great tips and printable
materials (including tip sheets for children), and resources to get you
involved with the passing of appropriate legislation, plus loads
of contact information for organizations with relevant information.
Know the law. Visit this site
for information about
state &
federal statutes and legislation. Also houses the
Prevention Initiative, a database of information on preventing and
stopping child abuse.
Child Abuse Reporting Numbers -- listed by state.
Includes a linked listing to each state's official page of child abuse
information, including forms for filing a report and information about
who must report.
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the
collection of signs and symptoms resulting from the violent shaking
of an infant or small child. It is a form of child abuse. In America
last year, approximately 1,200 - 1,400 children were shaken for whom
treatment was sought. Of these tiny victims, 25 -30% died as a
result of their injuries. The rest will have lifelong complications.
It is likely that many more babies suffered from the effects of SBS
and no one knows, because SBS victims rarely have any external
evidence of trauma.
This website features information for
parents, caregivers, and various health professionals about
preventing and reporting this dangerous form of abuse.
Child abuse can occur in a
variety of circumstances, including child care centers and in
conjunction with spousal abuse. In addition, child abuse can accompany
abduction by a non-custodial parent or result in a child's or teen
running away from home. The following agencies can provide
helpful information specific to such situations and circumstances.
Child abuse and neglect is one of the
top things that all parents worry about while selecting a care provider.
Choosing a care provider who has undergone state licensing ensures that
the individual's fingerprints have been checked against police and F.B.I.
records (and that the home has been inspected for safety). Convicted
sex offenders and child abusers can be sifted out through this process
(sadly those who've yet to be caught in the act will slip through the
net). But be aware -- there is another less obvious form of
child abuse that occur in child care settings that can leave lasting
scares upon children -- neglect. Neglect manifests in a variety of
forms -- including violence between insufficiently supervised children
(read
Daycare: How Is It
Influencing The Teens of the Future?
).
Child Care Aware is a "non-profit
initiative committed to helping parents find the best information on
locating quality child care and child care resources in their community."
Child Care Aware will hook you up with local organizations which help you
find a licensed child care provider who meets appropriate standards.
Be sure to read Child Care Aware's online information to find out just
what you should be looking in a provider.
Probably all of us have seen the headlines over the years -- a young
person is abducted by a stranger and forced into terrifying circumstances.
But many children's names never reach the headlines. The most common
scenario is that a non-custodial parent has abducted a child -- severing
them from all ties to the custodial parent and all family and friends that
were left behind. Additionally, there is typically a very good
reason why this individual, now turned abductor, was not granted custody.
Simply put, the court did not deem this person capable of caring for or
providing for a child.
Violence between parents always affects
children -- even if they themselves are never beaten or verbally
abused. The spectacle of one parent being hurt and humiliated by
another, is a frightening and even humiliating experience for a child.
Furthermore it harmfully shapes the way a child expects their future
spouse to interact with them (even if only unconsciously).
"We believe that every caller
deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We believe that
every family deserves to live in a world free from violence. We
believe that safe homes and safe families are the foundation of a safe
society."
If you know (or are) a child or teen who is caught in the middle of a
domestic violence situation (or dating violence), the National Domestic
Violence Hotline website has important information that may help.
Additionally, you can call their toll free number to talk one on one with
an experienced hotline advocate. To reach them via email:
ndvh@ndvh.org
