CAREGIVERS
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?
Child Abuse is when someone hurts or touches a child’s body in a way that makes him/her uncomfortable. This includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and/or neglect.
What should you do if your child says s/he’s been abused or you suspect they are being abused?
- You should immediately call the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) and/or local law enforcement. The Child Abuse and Neglect Careline operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected or is in danger of abuse or neglect is strongly encouraged to call the DCF Careline (1-800-842-2288).
- Support and comfort your child. Let them know that you are going to talk with a professional who will help keep them safe and get them help.
- Do not confront the alleged suspect. If you or your child is in immediate danger or you have immediate safety concerns call 9-1-1.
SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence is a statewide coalition of individual sexual assault crisis programs. The coalition works to end sexual violence through victim assistance, community education, and public policy advocacy. For more information visit endsexualviolencect.org.
LOVE146 is an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation through survivor care, prevention education, professional training and empowering movement. For more information visit love146.org.
Darkness to Light offers programs that raise awareness about child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse. For more information visit d2l.org.
Rainn is the Nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. It operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and offers programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. For more information visit rainn.org.
National Child Abuse Hotline is a centralized call center dedicated to child abuse. The caller will speak with a crisis counselor who is able to provide crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous and confidential. For more information contact Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD (422-2253) or visit childhelp.org.
Stop It Now provides information to victims and parents/relatives/friends of child sexual abuse. The site also has resources for offender treatment as well as information on recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse. For more information contact Hotline: 888-PREVENT (773-8368) or visit stopitnow.org.
Please refer to our “Program and Services” tab to explore the range of services we offer at the SCCAC.
SURVEYS
New Haven
Initial Visit Caregiver Survey
Middlesex
Initial Visit Caregiver Survey
Milford
Initial Visit Caregiver Survey
STATISTICS TO CONSIDER
- 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.
- 1 in 5 children is solicited sexually while on the internet.
- 90% of child victims are sexually abused by someone they know.
- Fabricated sexual abuse reports constitute only 4-8% of all reported cases.
- Fewer than 5% of child sexual abuse cases have physical evidence.
**Reference d2l.org website