What to do if you know a kid being abused?

Question

If there is a 22 year old that has special needs that is getting abused ,what to do?

Answer 1

Report it. If you know about abuse and you don't report it, you're just as guilty, and could be punished under the law. After you make the report, make sure you do some sort of follow up.

Answer 2

All 22 year olds with special needs are protected under Vulnerable Adult Laws. Contact your local police department or social services. If this person has special needs they may already have a social worker.

Be specific, time, dates and great details about what you saw and heard helps. You are the witness to a crime. Write down what you will report so you have a copy of what you saw. You may very well be called if this would come to a trial. Any discrepancy in your statement could let the perpetrator walk free. Do not discuss this with anyone else other than law enforcement or a social worker. Anything you say to others could be used in court to discredit you. People have short memories. They tend to forget actual details and fill in the blanks with their own information.

Good Luck to you. Just be aware abuse can be hard to prove and victims are reluctant to talk because of fear. Fear of retribution or because they love the one who abuses them and don't want to get them in trouble. If the victim has communication issues, than he or she may not be able to tell what is going on...this makes it complicated and sometimes does not work out the way it should. Don't let that discourage you. You are doing the right thing.

Answer 3

It is a criminal offence ...call the police. What country are u in? In Australia we call the police, the Department of Community Services, The Ombudsman or the Guardianship Tribunal. If the person is at risk of being abused again, get them out of their and call the police. If u are not sure if they are being abused the police may not be an appropriate option.

Who is doing the abusing and how did u find out? If the person is not at immediate risk u have a few choices. If the abuser is a family member or friend u may need to contact the person's guardian or call the police or dept of community services. If it is a staff member, talk to the worker's superior and see what they suggest.

When talking to the abused person be careful what u say, for example ask "How did that happen?" never "Did Frank hit you?" ...never risk compromising their recollection of the encounter.

If u need any more specific advice please don't hesitate to contact me.

Answer 4

My neice was 12 years and being turned out by her mother. I was in NYC and called LA where they were department of childrens services. It was so hard to call on my own sister but what was happening was wrong. So I called. They never followed up. Three people have to make a complaint for an investigation to be done. Enlist your friends, family members and church members don't let this go as none of your business. It absolutely is. Please take the neccessary steps to stop abuse of any kind. We pay for these agencies with our tax dollars put them to work. At one place I was renting I received letters from the department of Human Services addressed to a woman besides myself I sent them back thinking they were for the former tenant I gave them back to the postman telling him she doesn't live here and I don't know who she is. When I received the 10th letter it arrived on a rainy day the envelope fell apart I read the letter. It stated we have visited your home and are dropping the child abuse/neglect charges. I have two boys and a trampoline with a safety net and a big pool kept clean, many many toys in a yard that I mow and weed whack every week, and this made me mad. No one had been at the door. I went to the department of human services office with the letter and asked to speak to a supervisor. I didn't even make any excuses as to why the letter was open and started ranting and raving about how we let children slip through the cracks and how she better check this out because I was going to follow up and make sure this womans children were safe. The situation had occured right after that baby girl in Florida had dissapeared and she has never been found. Please step up to the plate, you can make your voice be heard, don't allow abuse!!!

Answer 5

I agree with Panda, you should contact your state Department of Human and Welfare Services and tell them your concern. It will typically remain anonymous so you won't feel any pressure. If the abuse is something of serious and immediate concern, or you feel the childs life is at risk you should call the police. Despite what others have said, you will not be held liable for not reporting (unless maybe if you've made a move to step in and stop it, were relied upon, and the backed off). Morally, however, you need to tell someone.

Answer 6

You should contact the police and the department of social services. Because he is a special needs person, even though in age he's an adult, social services can step in. Definitely contact the police and file a report they can also assist you with further needs of keeping this person safe and stopping the abuse.

Answer 7

Is this a kid or 22 year old? Just make a call.911,local police,board of mental retardation(although you never said what the special needs are).

Answer 8

If you are absolutely certain you need to call the police immediately. Unfortunately because the kid is 22, he is technically an adult so a child protective program would be unable to help the person. I hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 9

Contact your local child protective services or adult protective services. They must follow-up on every report, and the more information you can give, the better. You can remain anonymous if you wish. If you work with children (such as in a childcare center) you are a mandated reporter- including adults with special needs and elderly people- even if you only work with children. If you do not report it, then you can be fined up to $1000 and given jail time.

Answer 10

The group listed below will be able to help. call them. Here is the number and additional information about them.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, provides confidential, toll-free assistance.

Publicity in local and national media plays a key role in promoting awareness of the Hotline number. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline has been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Montel, and NBC's Crime and Punishment and its "The More You Know" public service announcement campaign. The Hotline has also been mentioned in HBO and MTV documentaries about sexual abuse, on Lifetime Television Network, and in Dear Abby and Seventeen magazine advice columns.

The Hotline receives no government funding. It is supported by the generous contributions of concerned organizations, foundations and individuals.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, provides confidential, toll-free assistance to:

Children who are being abused and want help
Frustrated parents who are about to lose control and are seeking help
Adults and children requesting the local telephone number to report cases of abuse
Adult survivors of child abuse who are feeling unsafe or suicidal
Adults requesting parenting tips, definitions of child abuse, or names of recommended books regarding parenting, child development or adult survivor issues
Professionals in the fields of mental health, social work, education, medicine, fire service, etc., who could benefit from consultation and/or referrals