{"id":302,"date":"2019-08-28T22:29:02","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T22:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myunheardvoice.org\/?page_id=302"},"modified":"2019-08-28T22:29:02","modified_gmt":"2019-08-28T22:29:02","slug":"if-you-suspect-a-child-is-being-harmed","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/myunheardvoice.org\/ru\/if-you-suspect-a-child-is-being-harmed\/","title":{"rendered":"If You Suspect A Child Is Being Harmed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you are concerned that a child is a victim of abuse, you may not \nbe sure what to do or how to respond. Child sexual abuse is a crime that\n often goes undetected. No matter what your role is\u2014parent or other \nfamily member, coach, teacher, religious leader, babysitter\u2014you have the\n power to make a positive difference in this child\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Recognize the signs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The signs of abuse aren\u2019t always obvious, and learning the warning signs of child sexual abuse  could be life saving. You might notice behavioral or physical changes  that could signal a child is being abused. Some of these warning signs  include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Behavioral signs<\/strong>: Shrinking away from or \nseeming threatened by physical contact, regressive behaviors like thumb \nsucking, changing hygiene routines such as refusing to bathe or bathing \nexcessively, age-inappropriate sexual behaviors, sleep disturbances, or \nnightmares<\/li><li><strong>Physical signs<\/strong>: Bruising or swelling near the genital area, blood on sheets or undergarments, or broken bones<\/li><li><strong>Verbal cues<\/strong>: Using words or phrases that are \u201ctoo adult\u201d for their age, unexplained silence, or suddenly being less talkative<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Talk to the child<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are concerned about abuse, talk to the child. Keep in mind a \nfew guidelines to create a non-threatening environment where the child \nmay be more likely to open up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Pick your time and place carefully<\/strong>. Choose a \nspace where the child is comfortable or ask them where they\u2019d like to \ntalk. Avoid talking in front of someone who may be causing the harm.<\/li><li><strong>Be aware of your tone<\/strong>. If you start the \nconversation in a serious tone, you may scare the child, and they may be\n more likely to give you the answers they think you want to hear\u2014rather \nthan the truth. Try to make the conversation more casual. A \nnon-threatening tone will help put the child at ease and ultimately \nprovide you with more accurate information.<\/li><li><strong>Talk to the child directly<\/strong>. Ask questions that use \nthe child\u2019s own vocabulary, but that are a little vague. For example, \n\u201cHas someone been touching you?\u201d In this context \u201ctouching\u201d can mean \ndifferent things, but it is likely a word the child is familiar with. \nThe child can respond with questions or comments to help you better \ngauge the situation like, \u201cNo one touches me except my mom at bath \ntime,\u201d or \u201cYou mean like the way my cousin touches me sometimes?\u201d \nUnderstand that sexual abuse can feel good to the child, so asking if \nsomeone is \u201churting\u201d them may not bring out the information that you are\n looking for.<\/li><li><strong>Listen and follow up<\/strong>. Allow the child to talk freely. Wait for them to pause, and then follow up on points that made you feel concerned.<\/li><li><strong>Avoid judgment and blame<\/strong>. Avoid placing blame by \nusing \u201cI\u201d questions and statements. Rather than beginning your \nconversation by saying, \u201cYou said something that made me worry\u2026\u201d \nconsider starting your conversation with the word \u201cI.\u201d For example: \u201cI \nam concerned because I heard you say that you are not allowed to sleep \nin your bed by yourself.\u201d<\/li><li><strong>Reassure the child<\/strong>. Make sure that the child knows \nthat they are not in trouble. Let them know you are simply asking \nquestions because you are concerned about them.<\/li><li><strong>Be patient<\/strong>. Remember that this conversation may be \nvery frightening for the child. Many perpetrators make threats about \nwhat will happen if someone finds out about the abuse. They may tell a \nchild that they will be put into foster care or threaten them or their \nloved ones with physical violence.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Report it<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reporting a crime like sexual abuse may not be easy, and it can be \nemotionally draining. Keep in mind that reporting abuse gives you the \nchance to protect someone who can\u2019t protect themselves. Depending on \nwhere you live and your role in the child&#8217;s life, you may be legally \nobligated to report suspicions of abuse. You can learn more about the \nlaws in your state by visiting RAINN&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.rainn.org\/policy-app\/index2.cfm\">State Law Database<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Before you report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Tell the child that you\u2019re going to talk to someone who can  help. Be clear that you are not asking their permission. <\/li><li>The child may  not want you to report and may be frightened, especially if the  perpetrator has threatened them or their loved ones. Remember that by  reporting, you are involving authorities who will be able to keep the  child safe.<\/li><li>Ensure that the child is in a safe place. If you have concerns over  the child\u2019s safety, be sure to discuss them explicitly with authorities  when you make the report. If you fear that the perpetrator will cause  further harm to the child upon learning about the investigation, clearly  communicate this to authorities.<\/li><li>If you are not concerned that the parents are causing harm, you can consult with them prior to making a report to authorities.<\/li><li>If you are a parent and are concerned that your partner or someone  in your family may be hurting your child, this may be a very difficult  time. It\u2019s important to be there for your child, and it\u2019s also important  to take care of yourself. Learn more about being a parent to a child who has experienced sexual abuse and how to practice self-care.<\/li><li>Prepare your thoughts. You will likely be asked identifying  information about the child, the nature of the abuse, and your  relationship with the child. While anonymous tips are always an option,  identified reporting increases the likelihood of prosecuting the  perpetrator.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where to report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you know or suspect that a child has been sexually assaulted or abused you can report  these crimes to the proper authorities, such as Child Protective  Services. Reporting agencies vary from state to state. To see where to  report to in your state, visit RAINN\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.rainn.org\/policy-app\/index2.cfm\">State Law Database<\/a>.<\/li><li>Call or text the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.childhelp.org\/hotline\/\" target=\"_blank\">Childhelp National Abuse Hotline<\/a>  at 800.422.4453 to be connected with a trained volunteer. Childhelp  Hotline crisis counselors can\u2019t make the report for you, but they can  walk you through the process and let you know what to expect.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>After you report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You may not hear or see signs of an investigation right away.  Depending on an agency\u2019s policies and your relationship to the child,  you may be able to call back to follow up after a few days.<\/li><li>If you are able to, continue to play the supportive role you always  have in that child\u2019s life. If making the report means that you can\u2019t  have this relationship anymore, know that by reporting you are helping  that child stay safe.<\/li><li>Take care of yourself. Reporting sexual abuse isn\u2019t easy. It\u2019s important to practice self-care during this time.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Disclaimer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><strong>MyUnheardVoice website provides general information that is intended, but not guaranteed, to be correct and up-to-date. The information is not presented as a source of legal advice. You should not rely, for legal advice, on statements or representations made within the website or by any externally referenced Internet sites. If you need legal advice upon which you intend to rely in the course of your legal affairs, consult a competent, independent attorney. MUV does not assume any responsibility for actions or non-actions taken by people who have visited this site, and no one shall be entitled to a claim for detrimental reliance on any information provided or expressed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>Original source link: https:\/\/www.rainn.org\/articles\/if-you-suspect-child-being-harmed<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are concerned that a child is a victim of abuse, you may not be sure what to do or how to respond. 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