A Child Has Directly Disclosed Abuse to You- Now What?

A Child Has Disclosed Abuse to You- Now What?

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When a child discloses abuse, they are seeking support and safety from someone they trust.
  • Provide a quiet, safe environment.
  • Remain calm and listen patiently.
  • Support and believe the child. Reassure them that they’re doing the right thing by telling you.
  • Ask limited, open ended questions-
  • “Tell me about that?”
  • “Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”
  • Understand your limits; you are not an investigator.
  • Respect the child’s right to privacy.
  • When you are done talking to the child, write down the child’s exact words.
  • As quickly as possible, call the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873) to file a report. Non-Florida residents can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
While this is an extremely difficult conversation to have, it is important to refrain from:
  • Making assumptions or promises- for example, “This will never happen again,” “I won’t tell anyone,” or “We are getting you out of that house.“
  • Disregarding the child
  • Putting words in the child’s mouth
  • Reacting dramatically- showing shock, anger, pain etc. can cause the child to shut down
  • Interrogating, investigating, or overwhelming the child with questions
  • Talking negatively or being judgmental about the abuser- it is often someone the child loves or trusts
  • Having other people around or taking the child to disclose to someone else. It is important that the person the child initially begins to disclose to is the one that finishes talking to the child. Never stop a child in the middle of their story.
  • Confronting the offender
  • Using dolls

Call the Florida Child Abuse Hotline to make a report. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Florida Child Abuse Hotline:

1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)

If you are not in Florida, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:

1-800-422-4453