Listening calmly when a child talks to you
When a child tells you something hard, the most helpful thing you can do is stay calm, listen, and believe them. Your reaction shapes whether they feel safe to keep talking.
Everyday examples
- Stay calm — even if you feel shocked or angry on their behalf.
- Listen without interrupting or asking leading questions.
- Say, 'Thank you for telling me. I believe you, and it is not your fault.'
One next step
Do not investigate on your own. Connect the child with a trained professional or reporting route.
Remember
- Abuse is never a child's fault.
- You do not have to collect proof before asking for help.
- You are not responsible for stopping adult violence.
- You do not have to physically intervene or protect everyone yourself.
- You can care about someone and still need protection from them.
In immediate danger, call 911 when it is safe to do so. Choosing any button on this site does not dispatch help or file a report.