Written by Allison Dowty, Behavioral Health Specialist
April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month each year in order to raise awareness and help adults learn how to intervene when child abuse and neglect are suspected.
One of the best ways we as adults can help prevent child abuse is to know the warning signs. One of the primary warning signs of abuse is a sudden change in a child’s behavior, personality, or school performance. Unexplained injuries that do not seem to match the explanation provided are another possible indicator of abuse. Children who are “watchful” and overly aware of their surroundings, or who express fear of going home, may be suffering from abuse. When a child’s parent or guardian has been informed of an accident or illness and has not provided appropriate medical follow up, this is a sign of possible neglect. Another sign of neglect is if a child does not appear to have adequate adult supervision. It is important to note that none of these warning signs are “proof” that abuse or neglect are taking place. For more information about recognizing possible warning signs of abuse and neglect, try the following resource: http://preventchildabuse.org/resource/recognizing-child-abuse-what-parents-should-know/.
Making a Report
By law, any adult in the state of Indiana who suspects abuse or neglect of a child is required to call the Department of Child Services (DCS) hotline at 800-800-5556 to make a report. Although they will ask you for your name, reports can be made anonymously and are required to be kept confidential. Hotline staff will take information related to the child’s identity and your concerns and then decide if there is enough information to screen out the report or forward to the county DCS office for further investigation. As long as the report has been made in good faith, meaning the person making the report genuinely believed abuse or neglect was occurring and was not trying to get even or create “drama” for the parent or guardian, laws are in place to protect the person making the report, even if the report is screened out or not substantiated upon investigation. If you would like more information on the DCS hotline, please visit https://www.in.gov/dcs/2971.htm.
Making a report of suspected abuse or neglect can be a scary experience. People often fail to make the call because they are unsure if abuse or neglect are truly occurring. However, it is not the responsibility of the individual who suspects the abuse or neglect to determine if it is actually happening. It is the job of DCS and law enforcement. A report should be made so that professionals can investigate. In many cases, the person making the call has a personal relationship with not only the child in question but also the parent or guardian. However, it is important to remember that making the call could save the life of a child and prevent further abuse or neglect.
