Know when to report suspicion of child abuse

Know when to report suspicion of child abuse

‘ If you see something, say something’

news@theeveningtimes.com

When you see it report it. When you see signs of child abuse or neglect report it. Many times people baulk at making the report and sometimes it is because they just don’t know where to turn.

Governor Asa Hutchinson said a mouthful pointing out shared responsibility for reporting child abuse while proclaiming April as Child Abuse and Awareness month. He indicated that citizens need to report what they see.

“It is the responsibility of every parent, grandparent, other caregiver, educator, therapist, advocate, trainer, community leader, church member, after school helper or anyone guiding supporting, helping, or reaching out to any child, to be aware of the warning signs of child abuse and neglect, including sudden changes in behavior or school performance, untreated physical injuries or other medical problems, lack of adult supervision, or symptoms of fearfulness, sadness or both, so they may take the necessary steps to protect the child,” wrote Hutchinson.

Some folks are hesitant to get involved. But if you are witnessing child abuse or neglect you already are involved. Failing to keep a child from harm enables abusers to repeat or even escalate the abuse. Remember 911? For the sake of the child, just dial it up and report what you are witnessing. You don’t need to call a special hotline in such cases. Call the police immediately to intervene on behalf of the child.

Sadly, abuse and neglect comes in many forms. Child maltreatment means physical or sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment, allowing harm to come to a child, or neglect in meeting the needs of a child.

Sometimes suspicions of abuse or neglect are picked up through signs of untreated injuries or personality changes in the child. In such cases there is a special hotline to call and urgent responses to those reports comes within the day from the Division of Children and Family Services or the Arkansas State Police Family Protection Unit. About one in three calls assessed there turn out as serious concerns according to state human services. The crimes against children hotline in Arkansas is 1-800-4825964.

By John Rech