top of page

Reporting  Abuse

​

  • If There is Immediate Danger to a Child Call 911

  • If you suspect abuse, reporting it can protect the child and get help for the family.  certain groups or professionals are legally bound as  mandatory reporters (groups of people who are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect). Any concerned person can and should report suspected child abuse. A report is NOT an accusation; it is an expression of concern and a request for an investigation or evaluation of the child’s situation. If you suspect a child is in a dangerous situation, take immediate action. Your suspicion of child abuse or neglect is enough to make a report. You are not required to provide proof. Investigators in your community will make the determination of whether abuse or neglect has occurred. Almost every state has a law protecting people who make good-faith reports of child abuse from prosecution or liability.

  • Everyone has an ethical obligation to report suspicions of abuse and neglect. Often, a child’s only hope is a report made on his/her behalf by a concerned adult.

  • Hotline counselors are available to receive calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  Remember, a report is simply a request for an investigation, not an accusation.

  • If you suspect a child is being harmed, contact your  Child Abuse Hotline, local Child Protective Services or law enforcement agency so professionals can assess the situation.

  • When making a report include as much information as possible:

  • Child’s name and location. It is also useful to provide a description – age, race, gender, parents names, address…

  • Description of what you have seen or heard regarding the abuse or neglect of the child

  • The suspected perpetrator’s name and relationship to the child

  • Names of any other people having knowledge of the abuse

  • Your name and phone number

     

What do I do if a child indicates he or she has been abused? 

 

DO NOT

  • Investigate

  • Ask leading questions (a question that suggests the answer or contains the information the questioner is looking for – That man touched you, didn’t he?)

  • Make promises

  • Notify the parents or the caretaker

DO

  • Provide a safe environment (be comforting, welcoming, and a good listener).

  • Tell the child it was not his/her fault

  • Listen carefully

  • Document the child’s exact quotes

  • Be supportive, not judgmental

  • Know your limits

  • Tell the truth and make no promises

  • Ask ONLY four questions

  • 1. What happened?

  • 2. Who did this to you?

  • 3. Where were you when this happened?

  • 4. When did this happen?

  • Asking any additional questions may contaminate a case!

REPORT IT!

  • Call your local law enforcement agency or  Child Protective Services

What To Do if Abuse Occurs-Guide for Temple Presidents
 

When a child reports that he or she has experienced any of the behaviors detailed above, serious attention should be paid to the report. While not every child’s story is actually a report of abuse, the truth needs to be determined to prevent further harm to the child or further false allegations.

The following initial steps should be taken if anyone has come to you with a concern of abuse:

  • Follow local laws concerning mandated reporting of suspected or confirmed abuse. These laws may entail that the first step after hearing about the abuse is to contact the police and/or the State Child Abuse Hot line. In any case, be sure to contact these government authorities as soon or sooner than the law requires you to do so. After contacting these government agencies, cooperate with them fully.

  • Remove child from situation of suspected abuse.

  • Remove suspected abuser from situation near children.(Ensure that suspected abuser does not have access to, or interact with, children.)

  • Call the local Child Protection Team.

  • Give the child love and support.

  • Put the family in touch with local support groups for abused children and their families.

  • Hold istagoshti to intelligently inform community of facts, actions taken to protect child, and cooperation with police investigation.

  • Prepare press release of information of facts, if necessary. Please first check with Anuttama Prabhu of ISKCON Communications­ – 301-299-9707.

  • Make sure all information is relayed to the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection:

                          CPO HQ c/o Bhaktivedanta Manor

                          Dharam Marg, Hilfield Ln,

                          Radlett, Aldenham

                          WD25 8EZ, UK

                          Phone: +44 07740 868434
                          Email: iskconukcpo@gmail.com

  • Be sure not to do or say anything that may cause the child to feel responsible for being abused.

  • One should also remember that both the child and parents of the child will be very scared and/or angry. It is in everyone’s best interest to act with kindness and understanding in these situations.

​

​

bottom of page