Reporting the Abuse of Children

Click on the video player to the left to watch Dr. Brad's TV interview. Click on the "Cool Kids Parenting Tips" icon above to open a Word document of these tips in English and Spanish to send to parents or link to this web page in e-mails and school web sites.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Children need advocates. Adults working children have the legal responsibility to advocate for children by reporting child abuse. We have the moral responsibility to report suspected abuse in order to stop the abuse and prevent the abuse of other children by the abuser.

Warning Signs of Abuse

Listen for statements about harsh punishment
Be aware of language about sexuality that does not seem age-appropriate
Be alert to physical marks
Tune in to the child's overall well-being and responses to others

What to do When You Observe or Suspect Abuse

When a child makes a comment about an abuse incident, you observe abuse, or suspicious marks are clearly visible:

Involve others, such as staff in the organization in which you are serving
Discuss the issues and steps that need to be taken

If there is a suspicion of child abuse, it is not enough just to tell someone in your organization or school about your suspicions. Any abuse evidence or suspicions must be reported to law enforcement or governmental child protective agencies. Report the abuse yourself or ensure that someone has made the report.

If a report needs to be made:

Understand that the report is confidential and you are not liable
Understand that it is your responsibility and a legal requirement to report child abuse
Understand that it shows care to report child abuse - you may be preventing the abuse of other children

Avoid:

Being an investigator
Speculating how a situation will be handled - fulfill your legal obligation and the child protective agency will be responsible for addressing the abuse
Asking leading questions of the child - professionals have specific procedures for obtaining information about abuse

It is not up to you to worry about what might happen to the abuser or to the organization connected to the situation. If you know of or suspect abuse, it is your legal and moral duty to report it. By reporting, you are advocating for the child, protecting that child, and likely other children in the perpetrator's life.

Reporting the Abuse of Children

Warning Signs of Abuse

What to do When You Observe or Suspect Abuse

© Dr. Brad Schwall - Cool Kids. All Rights Reserved.