what can I say or do to help the child or teen I care about?

The first thing you, as a caregiver, can do is offer your respect and support. Let them know that the abuse is not their fault.

What kinds of abuse are young people facing today?

What are the warning signs?

How can I help?

visit our forum on abuse

download info on abuse (pdf)

see kids' resources on abuse

You can report the abuse yourself or bring it up with the child or teen�s school guidance counselor, teacher, social worker or principal. These professionals can help you figure out if the child is being abused and will know how to report abuse. In fact, they are required by law to report abuse if they suspect it is happening.

Each state has an agency that is set up to protect kids. It might be called Child Protective Services (C.P.S.), the Department of Human Services, Child and Family Services, or something similar. States and counties also have hotlines which take child abuse reports.

There are also telephone counselors you can call anonymously. They will listen and try to help you sort out what to do.

Call the Covenant House Nineline at 1-800-999-9999;
TTY: 1-800-999-9915 or follow this link to the Nineline Forum on abuse. The Nineline staff is ready to talk with you any time of day.
You talk. We'll listen.

Other resources we recommend include:

Child Help USA provides crisis counseling, referrals and help in reporting child abuse: 1-800-422-4453

National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence provides information and referrals for help:1-888-222-2000

National Domestic Violence Hotline has a Web site http://www.ndvh.org and crisis line: (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or (800) 787-3224 (TDD)

National Family Violence Helpline has three numbers for child abuse, domestic abuse and elder abuse:
(800) 422-4453 (Child Abuse)
(800) 799-7233 (Domestic Abuse)
(800) 879-6682 (Elder Abuse)