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About
Child Abuse:
When you suspect abuse
When you suspect abuse
- All professionals who
work with children are mandated
reporters.
- It is not your
responsibility to investigate whether abuse
is occuring. If you suspect abuse, you must make a report
- Suspicions of abuse
should be reported: In Pennsylvania call Childline,
1-800-932-0313 or anywhere in the USA or Canada, call the National
Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-422-4453.
- Private citizens may
choose to report and have the right to
remain anonymous, if they wish.
- We can all do
something about child abuse.
- We can make sure all
parents have ready access to support
and iinformation about child development and parenting.
- We can reach out to
isolated friends, family members, and
neighbors who are parents to provide support.
- We can make sure that
poor families have the basic
necessities to care for their children.
- We can try to convince
a parent who is abusing alcohol or
drugs to seek treatment.
If you see a child being mistreated in a public place
- Try to engage the
parent in a non-critical and supportive
way. Ask if you can help. The goal is to interrupt the intense conflict
between the parent and child by adding a third person -- you.
- Stay calm and
respectful. Ask the parent's permission
before trying to engage the child. "Can I help you by playing with your
child for a moment?" "How about if I watch your child for a second
while you take care of..." Tell the parent about how your own child may
have acted the same way once -- show you understand how frustrating it
can be, sometimes, to be a parent.
- If the parent gets
angry at you and tells you not to
interfere, don't take it personally. You can help the situation best by
staying calm.
- For more suggestions
on things you can do to help diffuse a
volatile situation, please visit the OneKindWord.org
or Be The
Difference
Campaign websites.
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