Be committed to protecting children from child abuse.
Teachers, child care workers, and others who work in child-serving organizations play a vital role in identifying, reporting, and preventing child abuse. They are often the first persons to learn of allegations of abuse. The initial response of adults will affect the outcome of the case.
Here are some dos and don'ts for those who work with children:
When a child discloses abuse to you:
Don't conduct your own investigation.
Teachers, child care workers, and others who work in child-serving organizations play a vital role in identifying, reporting, and preventing child abuse. They are often the first persons to learn of allegations of abuse. The initial response of adults will affect the outcome of the case.
Here are some dos and don'ts for those who work with children:
When a child discloses abuse to you:
- Don't show shock or other strong emotion.
- Do remain calm.
- Don't correct the child if they are using slang to describe body parts or functions.
- Do LISTEN. Let the child tell her or his story but leave the questioning to the professionals.
- Do document the exact words the child says when disclosing.
- Do tell the child that you believe him/her.
- Do reassure the child that it is not her/his fault and that they did the right thing to disclose.
- Don't make promises you can't keep.
- Do tell the child that you must report it and that someone whose job it is to take care of children will be talking to him/her.
- Do check to see if the child feels safe returning home: "How do you feel about going home today?"
- Don't repeat what the child told you unless there is a clearly defined need for that person to know. It is rarely appropriate to communicate directly with parents regarding allegations of child abuse, because the danger to the child may increase, the child may recant, the parent may flee with the child, and the risk of suicide increases for the child and the perpetrator.
Don't conduct your own investigation.
- Don't engage in detailed questioning.
- Don't question other witnesses.
- Don't confront the alleged offender.
- Don't allow others in your organization to question the child.
- Do call the local police or social services.