Child Abuse And Neglect: When To Seek Help

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When to Seek Help

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you witness child abuse, believe a child is in immediate danger, or see that a child:

• Is not breathing. The 911 operator can guide you through CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until help arrives.
• Is having moderate to severe difficulty breathing.
• Is bleeding heavily.
• Has an altered level of consciousness.
• Is in shock.
• Exhibits symptoms of a head injury after being shaken.
• Has signs of severe dehydration.

Call law enforcement or child protective services immediately if you:

• Suspect an injury was caused by maltreatment.
• Suspect that abuse or neglect is placing a child's health at risk.
• Suspect that a child has seen or heard domestic violence within the family.
• Have concerns that you, your spouse, or your significant other may lose control and hurt your child.

If the child is not in immediate danger, call your local child protective services or police if:

• A child tells you about being abused or neglected.
• You observe possible physical abuse injuries.
• You observe signs of sexual abuse.
• You observe signs of neglect.

After you have called law enforcement or child protective services, you can call your child's health professional about treatment for physical and emotional injuries.

ChildHelp, a nonprofit agency, provides telephone numbers and information about how to report suspected or observed child abuse or neglect. The national Child Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). The U.S. Administration of Children and Families, under the Department of Health and Human Services, has established a Children's Bureau that supports the states in the delivery of child welfare services designed to protect children and strengthen families. For more information, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.

In most states, child protection services are required by law to investigate potential child abuse or neglect within 24 hours.

Last updated:	January 03, 2007
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC