Worried About a Child?
"Every day I hear the child next door crying, her parents are always shouting at her. Yesterday, in the street, I saw her mother hit her hard across the side of the head. This is probably none of my business but I am worried and not sure what to do."
Warning signs
There are many possible signs of abuse, ranging from injury to changes in the way a child is acting. You could see something happen or a child may tell you that he or she is being hurt.
Action
If you think that a child has been hurt, contact the Police. If you are not sure, you can speak to a helpline such as the NSPCC and your call will be kept private.
What to say
Explain exactly what you have seen or been told. If you can, keep a note of dates, injuries and the exact words used. These will help you.
Prevention
Make sure your child knows who they can share worries with if and when they need to. Listen carefully to children and notice any changes in them.
Should you mind your own business?
- Protecting children is everybody’s business
- Adults have a responsibility to report abuse
- Consider offering some support if you are worried
- If in doubt share your concerns about children
- Reporting concerns rarely leads to a child being removed
- Act now - long-term abuse is damaging for children
All parents have problems at times but can be helped by other family members or close friends. If someone you know is having difficulties, you could:
- Listen to their problems
- Help them cope
- Encourage them to get more help
- Support them by babysitting or doing shopping.
There may be times when a child is at risk of harm and you need to get help. How would you want other people to act if your child was being harmed? Would you want them to mind their own business? Would you want them to report their worry to a professional who could help?
When we think, see or are told about a child that is being hurt we can react in many different ways. We may feel guilty, angry, or shocked. Some people’s reactions can stop help getting to a family who need it.
Many people do not tell because they fear that:
- Children will get hurt more
- They believe that nothing will be done
- They believe that the child would be taken away
- They worry that the family may find out who reported them
- Telling may ruin family relationships.
In truth, it is best that action is taken early to stop things getting worse. Long-term abuse is much more likely to cause problems for a child as they get older. Even if you think something is just a one off, other agencies may already have concerns about the child. Your information could be very important.
If you report your concerns to Children’s Services, you will be asked for your details and details of the worries you have. You should write down what you want to say before you speak to them so that you can remember everything.
Contacts
- Children's Assessment Team 023 8083 3336
- Children's Assessment Team - Out Of Hours Emergency Number 023 8023 3344
- Hampshire Police 0845 045 45 45
- NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
- Family Lives 0808 800 2222 www.familylives.org.uk
- ChildLine 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
- Family Rights Group (National) 0808 801 0366 www.frg.org.uk
- Child Abuse Investigation Unit www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/Specialist+Units/crime/sid/caiu/
- Child Rescue Alert www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/childrescuealert/
