SEVEN
STEPS TO
HELP STAMP OUT CHILD ABUSE
1}
REPORT:
suspected
abuse or neglect.
Inform authorities if you suspect that children are being harmed. Your
concern may mean that children are protected from an abusive
environment.
2}
ADVOCATE:
for
services to help families.
Communities need comprehensive service that address issues that affect
families. Parenting programs, health care, and housing needs are vital
to maintaining healthy children and families.
3}
VOLUNTEER:
at a local
child abuse program.
Parent support groups, crisis centers, and hotlines are typical
programs
that often welcome volunteers. Check you telephone
directory
for the names of
agencies in your area.
4}
HELP A FRIEND, NEIGHBOR
OR RELATIVE:
someone you
know may be struggling
with parenting responsibility. Offer a sympathetic
ear or a
helping hand. Assisting
occasionally with childcare or offering local sources of community help
can be a tremendous boost to someone under stress.
5}
HELP YOURSELF:
recognize
the signs that
indicate outside help is needed. If you feel overwhelmed, constantly
sad,
angry and out of control, get help. Remember, asking for help is a sign
of strength not weakness.
6}
SUPPORT AND SUGGEST:
programs on
child abuse prevention
for local organization; Kiwanis Clubs, Exchange Clubs, PTA, church
groups,
women's and men's clubs all offer excellent opportunities for raising
awareness
in the
community.
7}
PROMOTE:
programs in
the schools.
Teaching prevention strategies can help to keep children safe from
those
that would abuse them.
Quoted
from
the National
Committee to
Prevent
Child Abuse
Joy Byers,
May 1996
by way of:
"Child
Abuse Prevention Foundation"
How
To Document Concerns About Child Abuse And Neglect
respond to reports of child abuse and neglect. Our justice system
requires solid evidence that abuse is
occurring before investigators can intervene to protect a child.
Therefore it is imperative that any concerns
about the welfare of a child be adequately and vigorously documented.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Record your
concerns immediately. Always include the date and time of the incident.
2. Document facts,
not opinions. If a child has a bruise for example, write down the
color, locations and
size of the bruise. It is unnecessary to include your opinion about how
you think it may have occurred.
3. Write down what
the caregive told you about the incident or injury. You'll also want to
include what the
child, sibling and other witness said about the incident.
4. Collect the
names and contact information of everyone invovled in the incident.
While it is not your job
to investigate a report, you'll want to provide all of this information
to the child serves agency investigator
or law enforcement officer to ensure that they can gather all of the
necessary information and evidence.
5. Sign, date and include the time of each entry.
6. Report your concens to the appropriate child protection agency in
your state and make sure you write
down the name of the person you spoke with along with any suggestions
or advice they offered. Write
down the date and time of your formal report.
TIPS
& WARNINGS:
Always
document your concerns using pen and your own handwriting.
If you need to change an entry, cross it out with a single line and
initial it. It is important to stay away from using white out to
correct entries.
Keep your written recordings in a safe place. The court system or
investigator may request them during a formal investigation.
If you have any suspicion
whatsoever that a child is being abused
or neglected it is imperative that you call your local child protective
services hot line immediately. Proceed to the resources section for a
link to the contact number in your state.
Documentation can be used
as a means for supporting your concerns
in the event of a formal child abuse investigation. It is imperative
that you follow up any documented concerns with a formal report to your
local child abuse and neglect hot line.
If the child is injured
or the situation requires immediate
attention, do not take the time to document your concerns. Call 911
right away.
RESOURCES:
Find
The
Child Abuse Hotline In Your State
Learn
More About Child
Abuse At Childabuse.org
This information was found here:
