The Child's Place is a
Child Advocacy
Center that is an
umbrella program of
Sexual Trauma &
Counseling Center.
What to Do if your Child
Discloses to You or
You Suspect Sexual Abuse
  • If needed, take the child to a quiet place and ask them to tell you
    again.

  • Listen !!!!  Do not fill in words for the child.

  • If the child is having a difficult time talking—don’t help the child
    with words that you THINK the child is going to say.  Allow the child
    to tell you what happened in their own words.

  • Do not ask the same question(s) over and over again.

  • Tell the child that you are glad that they told you.

  • Tell the child that it “Was not your fault”.

  • Reassure the child that they are not in trouble.

  • If the child asks you not to tell anyone, remind the child that it is
    your job to help keep them safe and you will do whatever you may
    need to do to keep them safe.

  • Do not be overly critical of the offender.  Children are protective
    of people they care about, even if they are being abused

  • Tell the child you believe them

  • Don’t express panic or shock

  • Use the child’s vocabulary to the child and when reporting

  • Report “Suspected” abuse.  You do not have to know that it is
    confirmed.
          You should report abuse to DSS and local law
          enforcement.

  • Be aware of your own feelings about abuse so that hopefully you will
    not project these onto the child.

  • Do not ask probing questions.  This gets into the investigation which
    needs to be handled by professionals.

  • Schedule the child to talk to someone trained in child interviews.

  • If the abuse happened within 72 hours, take the child to the
    ER to be examined.

  • If you have any questions, contact The Child's Place @
     227-1623

What not to do...

  • Do not Overwhelm the child

  • Do not pressure the child to talk if she/he is not ready.

  • Don't try to bribe the child to tell you info.

  • Don’t promise things you can't control like:
          You will never be hurt again
          Or the offender will go to jail

  • Do not confront the offender
          Confronting the offender, especially in front of the child, can be   
          harmful or dangerous. Leave it to the proper authorities.