Mercer County Children's Advocacy Center

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  • Awareness Blog
  • ChildLine: 1-800-932-0313
Mercer County Children's Advocacy Center
  • Home
  • About Mercer CAC
  • What to Expect
    • Forensic Interview Services
    • Medical Exams
    • Trauma Treatment
  • For Families and Children
    • What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
      • Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect
      • Myths and Facts About Child Abuse and Neglect
      • Recognize the Signs of Abuse and Neglect
    • What is Child Neglect?
      • Preventing Neglect
      • Recognize the Signs of Neglect and Emotional Maltreatment
      • Reporting Neglect
      • Responding to Neglect
    • What is Child Physical Abuse?
      • Preventing Physical Abuse
      • Recognize the Signs of Physical Abuse
      • Reporting Physical Abuse
      • Responding to Physical Abuse
    • What is Child Sexual Abuse?
      • Preventing Sexual Abuse
      • Recognize the Signs of Sexual Abuse
      • Reporting Sexual Abuse
      • Responding to Sexual Abuse
    • Keeping your Child Safe
      • Domestic Violence and Kids
  • Resources
    • Reading Resources
    • Resource Guide for Working with Adolescents
    • Talking To Your Children About Sexuality
    • What is Age-Appropriate?
    • What to DO if you Suspect a Child is Being Abused
  • Internet Safety
    • Abbreviations and Text Terms
    • Cyberbullying & Sextortion
    • Facebook- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Instagram- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Snapchat- How to Keep My Child Safe
    • Social Media Safety

Responding to Neglect

Homepage Responding to Neglect

It takes a great deal of courage and trust for a child to disclose that CSPN_v18n1.indds/he is experiencing neglect. If a child confides in you, use the following guidelines to respond in a helpful and sensitive way.

When a child discloses

  • Stay calm and neutral. The child may retract information or stop talking if s/he senses a strong reaction from you.
  • Believe the child and be supportive. Children rarely make up stories about neglect.
  • Listen without interrogating the child or passing judgment. Most children know their abusers and often have conflicted feelings. Let the child tell the story at his/her own pace.
  • Validate the child feelings. Tell the child you are glad s/he told you.
  • Assure the child you care and that the neglect is not his/her fault.
  • Find out what the child wants from you.
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Kid needing help

Early intervention in child neglect helps a child heal faster, and reduces the long-term effects of the abuse on the child. Remember—when a child tells you about abuse, he or she is using a tremendous amount of courage, and is looking to you for help.

Your Response

Responding to your belief that abuse has occurred, or is occurring, can be the first important step in stopping the abuse and protecting the child from further harm.

Take action. Call ChildLine (the child abuse hotline) immediately: 1-800-932-0313. If there are immediate safety concerns, also call 911.

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  • For Families and Children
    • What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
    • What is Child Neglect?
    • What is Child Physical Abuse?
    • What is Child Sexual Abuse?
    • Keeping your Child Safe

Childline

Reporting Child Abuse
Call 800-932-0313
(TDD: 866-872-1677)

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Copyright ©2018 Mercer County CAC | 8406 Sharon-Mercer Road | Mercer, PA 16137 | (724) 662-1550 | Mercer Country BHC Inc
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  • What to Expect
  • For Families and Children
  • Resources
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