Children's Rights Foundation

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CHILD ABUSE AND YOU

Why Should I Report Child Abuse?

Victims of abuse need help. Abusers need help. Abusers and their children are both victims caught in a vicious cycle. It is important to note that:

• Most abusive parents love their children very much, but not very well;
• The majority of abusers were abused themselves as children;
• For most abusers treatment and rehabilitation can produce positive results.

With this in mind, it is vitally important that we provide a means for the abuser to get the help and support needed so that we can put an end to this vicious cycle. Reporting child abuse or suspected child abuse becomes the first step in this helping process. You can be the one to take this first vital step.

What Can I Do When I Want To Report Child Abuse?

Child abuse is against the law. Each state in the nation has a law against the abuse of children. Because identification of child abuse is vital to its prevention and treatment, a mandated reporting Statute has been enacted by each state for the purpose of reporting abuse. As part of this statute, at least one statewide agency has been designated to receive and investigate all such reports.

The following are agencies which deal with child abuse reports. The agency in your area to which you will want to make your report will most likely be listed as one of the following in your telephone directory:

Department of Child Protective Services; Department of Social Services;
Public Social Services Department; Department of Protective Services;
Social and Rehabilitative Services;
Bureau of Children & Family Services.

Numbers will be listed under the name of your county in the white pages of your telephone directory. The correct phone number can also be obtained by telephone through the information operator.

A copy of the laws related to child abuse for you state can be obtained through your local department of social services, city or county attorney's office, the law enforcement agency in your area, or the state attorney general's office.

When Do I Report Child Abuse?

Immediately upon suspicion or confirmation of the existence of some type of child abuse a telephone report of abuse or neglect should be made to a child protective agency or law enforcement agency in your area.

You are protected from civil and criminal court action when your child abuse report is made in good faith. This means you have an honest belief or suspicion that a child is being abused and/or neglected in some way. Your call can be anonymous.

Even if you are not quite certain your suspicion is correct, a report is a move in favor of the child. You may be his only hope.

What Do I Say When I Report Child Abuse?

When making a report of suspected child abuse by telephone, you should include the following information:

1. The name of the victim;
2. The current location of the victim;
3. The type of abuse you are reporting, including the type of injury or injuries and how severe they are;
4. Any other information that led you to suspect child abuse.

Be as clear and specific as possible in making your report. It is important to give the authorities as many facts and details as possible.

What happens When I Report Child Abuse?

When a designated agency receives a report of suspected child abuse, an investigation will follow. A determination must be made as to whether or not the child, in fact, has been or is being abused. In addition, it must be determined whether or not the child is in immediate danger or life threatening circumstance.

The procedure for follow-up is largely dependent on the agency receiving the report as outlined by the child abuse statutes within the state where the reporting is being made.

Should the child be removed from the home, a decision must be made regarding the services needed to protect the child and bring help to the abusing family.

The development of a treatment plan for the abused child and his troubled family is an initial and vital element in the rehabilitation process. Voluntary participation in such programs is desirable. In cases where the abuse is particularly severe and a long history of abuse is discovered or where parents are uncooperative, the case may be referred to the court system.

The goals of the reporting and investigation process are:

• identify the child in need of help;
• determine if abuse is occurring;
• stop the abuse; and
• give an opportunity for appropriate treatment services to be made available to the child and family so rehabilitation can take place.

You are the key to unlocking this process...and the life of a child may be spared.

How Can I Become Involved In Child Abuse Detection And Prevention In My Community?

Child abuse prevention is a community problem and as such needs the support and commitment of individuals such as yourself if solutions to this complex problem are to be found.

Here are some ways in which you can become involved in working toward child abuse prevention in your community:

1. Locate services and programs which now exist. These can be located in the telephone book or through mental health services, or your local department of social services.
2. Contact your local law enforcement agency to learn what it is doing related to child abuse.
3. Become familiar with additional information related to child abuse prevention and treatment.
4. Volunteer your time and talent to aid in the development of local child abuse prevention and treatment programs.
5. Call the Children's Rights Foundation, Inc. Hotline to get more information, 1-800-329-KIDS.

How Can I Become A Part Of The Children's Rights Foundation?

Involvement in the Children's Rights Foundation, Inc. Campaign for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect begins with awareness of the devastating problems of child abuse and its crippling effects on society. Knowing the facts about child abuse, how to recognize abuse, and the way to report abuse will aid you in becoming an agent of change within your own community where child abuse and neglect is concerned.

Other Ways In Which you Can Participate In This C.R.F., Inc. Campaign Include:

• Distributing C.R.F. Materials to churches, civic groups and schools within your local community;
• Helping relatives, friends and neighbors become aware of the problem of child abuse and enlisting their support for local prevention programs;
• Supporting local, state and national legislation geared toward prevention and treatment of child abuse;
• Supporting on-going work of C.R.F., Inc. National Campaign for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect.

The campaign against child abuse must be the responsibility of every citizen in every community across America. Your efforts combined with those of thousands of others across the nation will help to make the Children's Rights Foundation, Inc. National Campaign for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect a success and ensure a brighter future for many thousands of children whose lives might otherwise be destroyed.

LOVE, LISA

Lisa used to love. She loved holidays, puppies, and she especially loved sugar cookies ("with cinnamon sprinkles").

Lisa loved life. Double-dutch, playing tag with friends, chasing rainbows in the park, and she loved writing - "Dear Diary: I had soooo much fun today...."

Lisa loved dreaming, until the dreams turned to nightmares. Until the "games" became strange, and the neighbors became strangers. Until the rainbows disappeared.

Dear diary: I'm scared....

Lisa is eleven years old. Don't let the shadows darken her dreams. Don't chase the smiles away.

Lisa needs to love again.

Once, she loved so much, it hurt. Now the pain is real. So are the bruises. So is this story.

After four years of sexual abuse, Lisa called the Children's Rights Foundation. She called us for help. Now, she calls us family.

The Children's Rights foundation answers the call for 10,000 Lisa's every year. The stories and circumstances change, but the tears and fears are the same.

Lisa is learning to love again. Learning to trust, and to smile again. She has removed away from the abuse, and into a home where hugs are golden, and laughter brings sweetness to the silence.

The Children's Rights Foundation provides all of Lisa's needs - housing, medical, and psychological counseling-with extra helpings of respect and appreciation.

Lisa is now an Honor student. Her "smarts" come from books, not bruises. Her memories are fertile fields of growing self-esteem.

Lisa has confidence. She has people to love, who give love in return. She has happiness... and she has sugar cookies ("with cinnamon sprinkles").