Taking concerns seriously
You do not need certainty before acting on a concern about a child. If something feels wrong, a trained professional can help you weigh what to do.
Everyday examples
- Notice changes in behavior, mood, fear, or unexplained injuries.
- Take disclosures seriously even from young children.
- Do not dismiss concerns because the family seems 'nice' or 'normal.'
One next step
Contact a child-abuse hotline or your local reporting line to talk through what you have noticed.
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.