I am talking to a child, teenager, or younger and for some reason or another, they tell me about what happened. They tell me their dad, their brother, their friend or parents' friend, a relative, or sometimes even a stranger has touched them, or fondled them, or had sex with them. Maybe it was once or twice, maybe it was for much longer and now they are trusting me with the information, trusting me enough that they let me know about the "secret". It is possible they have told someone, it is possible no one knows yet. If they haven't shared anything with a parent or parents, that is the first thing that needs to be done.
After that, I need to call the Abuse Hotline (1-800-963-2873). It is part of my job, by law I am required to make the call and tell the people on the Abuse Hotline about the information I received. I would make the call even if I wasn't required. I don't make the decision about whether or not it is true, I only repeat what I was told. I try to give all the information I was given, and any other important information I might have that could affect or change the situation. They usually don't talk talk to me too long, but I try to help them as much as possible. As a professional, if I have an opinion about whether or not the abuse happened, I may offer it.
My question to you is "would you call the Abuse Hotline if you believed someone was being abused?" In other words, "Would you get involved?" First thing to note, the person who calls remains anonymous. As I write this, I know I often hear people tell stories about "Uncle John" knowing that "Sister Amy" called about his abuse of his three children, even though it was supposed to be kept confidential but if that happens it doesn't come from the abuse report or the Abuse Hotline staff.
What I hear most is people not wanting to get involved and making someone else angry at them or causing trouble in the family. Think for a minute what choice you would like someone to make if you or someone in your family are in trouble. Are you someone who helps or walks away? Are you going to let a child be hurt, maybe killed when your phone call could have stopped the abuse? Do you support child abuse? So. would YOU make the call and tell the Abuse Hotline what you thought?
