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What If a Child Tells You
About Abuse or Neglect?
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Listen to what is being
told to you
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Reassure them that they
have done the right thing in telling you
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Keep your own feelings
under control
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Use the child's own
vocabulary
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Do not promise not to
tell
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Tell the truth
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Be specific
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Assess the child's
immediate safety
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Be supportive
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Report the abuse or
neglect to Children Services
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What Information Should Be Given When Reporting
Abuse and /or Neglect?
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Name and address of the child
suspected of being abused
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The name and address of the
parent or caretaker of the child
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The age of the child
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The name of the person you
suspect of abusing or neglecting the child
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Any information which you feel
may be helpful to the investigator
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Your name, but that is optional
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If you are a mandated reporter
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DO NOT HESITATE TO MAKE A REPORT IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED. ANY
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT TO FILE A REPORT SHOULD BE
RESOLVED IN FAVOR OF THE CHILD'S PROTECTION.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT
MAKING A REPORT TO CHILDREN SERVICES?
Your
call could be coming at the beginning of a family’s problems. Services
provided to the family at this early stage can prevent the problems from
becoming more severe.
You
can report suspected child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, from anywhere in Ohio.
Your
report of suspected child abuse or neglect is completely confidential.
Your name will not be revealed to those you have reported.
However, it is important for you to provide your name so that
children services can re-contact you if they need additional
information.
Even if the investigator finds that the child in your report is not
being abused or neglected, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Many children have suffered ongoing abuse---even death---because
no one was willing to take that first step and become involved.
**WARNING: DO NOT SEND
REPORTS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT THROUGH OUR E-MAIL.
Immediate response to such reports is
critical and this website is not monitored for reports of abuse or
neglect. All reports must be made directly to 330-674-KIDS or
one of the other agency phone numbers listed below. You may
also contact your local Police or Sheriff's Department. Our
e-mail address is not checked on a regular basis and is not intended
to accept reports of abuse or neglect. Please be advised that
names and personal information of individuals who report are
confidential.
If you suspect a
child is being abused or neglected contact us at:
Holmes County
Department of Job & Family Services
85 North Grant Street P.O. Box 72
Millersburg, Ohio 44654
Phone: 330-674-1111
or Toll free: 800-971-7979
TTY: 330-674-0966
24 hour hot-line: 330-674-KIDS
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