Session 3

What and How to Report Child Abuse

If any of the indicators of abuse is present, monitor the situation carefully. Look for more specific indicators and decide whether a report should be made immediately.

If under any circumstances a child tells you that he or she is being abused or neglected, believe the child and take action.

Remember to write down any information you have related to the suspicions:

• physical signs
• conversations you had with the parent or child
• the date, time, and any other dates

Don’t try to question the child beyond what she or he tells you without prompting. Child protection workers are trained to interview children and ask appropriate questions. If you ask the child leading questions, even with the best of intentions, your actions may complicate an investigation done at a later time.

Understand your own feelings. Reporting abuse is not easy. You may fear that the abusers will take their anger out on the child, you may be worried that you are wrong, and you may be angry that after you reported you are not given any information (child welfare officers are obliged to maintain confidentiality). Remember that all the steps you have taken are to protect the child. The child needs protection and the abusive adult needs help. It is normal to have feelings of doubt but know that you have done the best you can.

What Do You Report?

• your name and telephone number
  
  
• your relationship to the child/family and how long you’ve known the child
  
  
• whether the child or family knows you are reporting
  
  
• the child’s name
  
  
• the child’s sex
  
  
• the child’s birth date
  
  
• the child’s address
  
  
• the child’s telephone number
  
  
• the child care program or family day home, current location, and school program, if in one
  
  
• whether the child is Aboriginal, and if so, whether the child belongs to an Aboriginal community
  
  
• the name, address, and telephone number of the alleged perpetrator, if known, and other information that may assist in locating or identifying that person
  
  
• the name, address, telephone number of the workplace of the parent/guardian
  
  
• if the child disclosed
  • when and where the abuse took place
  • how long the abuse has been going on
  • whether the situation has worsened
  • current location of the abuser or parent/guardian
    
    
• your own observations or other indicators of abuse
  
  
• full details of the incident or situation that precipitated the report. Be as specific as possible. Make notes on details or events or behaviour that caused concern.
  
  
• whether you are aware of any efforts made to resolve the situation, and the results
  
  
• the child’s condition and any concerns about the child’s immediate safety
  
  
• whether you know of other professionals or agencies involved with the family or anyone else who might provide relevant information
  
  
• whether you know anything about the situation or alleged perpetrator that might pose a threat to an investigator
  
  
• whether you can provide a place in your facility to interview the child
  
  
• whether there is any language barrier or disability that would require assistance in communication

What happens once a report is made?

 

The information provided by the caller will be reviewed and referred for investigation as needed. Based on the outcome of the investigation, the child and their family may be referred to community supports, receive family enhancement services, or actions to further protect the child may be taken.

 

Alberta Children and Youth Services, “What is Child Abuse and How to Report It,” <www.child.alberta.ca/home/documents/childintervention/What_is_Child_Abuse_and_How_to_Report_It.pdf>; (accessed March 2010).