I Have Learned About the Sexual Abuse of Someone I Know. What Should I Do?
Here’s how to respond effectively and with compassion towards someone you have learned has been sexually abused.
How Do I Report Sexual Abuse?
There are many ways to safely and confidentially report abuse:
- If you see abuse happening or a child comes to you in crisis, call 911.
- If you suspect child sexual abuse, you can call ChildHelp: The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child. They have trained counselors answering phones 24/7 to guide you through the process of reporting.
- If you were sexually abused recently, call the police.
- You can also contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at RAINN, the Rape and Incest National Network, at 1-800-656-4673. They will refer you to your local rape crisis center.
- If your abuse happened in the past, or you are not sure who to talk to, contact a licensed therapist or an attorney who is experienced in handling child sexual abuse cases. They can offer you guidance and walk you through the options to find the best for you. You can also contact the police where the crime occurred and file a report if the predator is still a threat to children.
What If I Only Suspect Child Sex Abuse? Should I Still Report?
Yes. You can report suspected abuse at ChildHelp: The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child. They have trained counselors answering the phones 24/7 to guide you through the process of reporting suspected abuse.
A large majority of survivors say that if just one adult had reported their suspected abuse, the survivor could have been saved from years of abuse and shame.
Beyond crisis reporting to the police or a helpline, knowing who to tell about your abuse and in what order may require some strategy to help ensure the best outcome should you need to take legal action.
Am I Safe If I Report Suspected Abuse? Will I Be Confronted by The Police? Will The Alleged Abuser Know I Informed Others About Their Abusive Behavior?
Yes, it is safe to report suspected abuse, and you can do so confidentially. ChildHelp: The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child has trained counselors answering the phones 24/7 to guide you through the process of reporting suspected abuse safely and confidentially.
Beyond crisis reporting to the police or a helpline, knowing who to tell about your abuse and in what order may require some strategy to help ensure the best outcome should you need to take legal action
We have decades of experience, exposing clergy child sexual abuse crimes and crimes in many other institutions such as in schools (public and private), camps, sports facilities, and Boy Scouts of America. Contact us for a free confidential conversation about how we can hold perpetrators and institutions accountable, and create a safer world for children now and in the future.
How Do I Report Child Pornography? Also Known as Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
If you have reason to believe that a child is in direct danger, call 911 or your local police.
To report child pornography (CSAM) online, you can contact the CyberTipline at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Otherwise, you can contact ChildHelp: The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child and they can guide you through the process.
If I Suspect a Child is Being Trafficked for Sex, What Do I Do?
To report an incident or suspicious situation that may involve child sex trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888, or file a confidential online report on their website.
Your report will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation and action.
If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, please call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
Are There People Who Can Help Me Through the Reporting Process?
Yes, the majority of hotlines work with counselors or volunteers who are specifically trained to guide callers through the reporting of sexual abuse safely and confidentially.
Beyond crisis reporting to the police or a helpline, knowing who to tell about your abuse and in what order may require some strategy to help ensure the best outcome should you need to take legal action.