Do's and Don'ts

Page 9

Responding to the Child in Concerns of Abuse and Neglect

Here are some ideas about how to respond to disclosure:

DO:

• Remain calm. A child may retract information or stop talking if he/she senses a strong reaction.
• Find a private place to talk without interruptions.
• Put the child at ease by sitting near him/her.
• Ask permission before touching the child. Touch may be associated with physical or emotional pain in children who have been physically or sexually abused.
• Reassure the child that he/she is not in trouble.
• Use the child’s vocabulary.
• Support the child: “I am sorry that happened to you.”
• Do what you can to make certain that the child is safe from further abuse

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DO NOT: ​

• Do Not: Press for details. You do not need to prove abuse or neglect.
• Do Not: Ask “why” questions. These questions require children to explain actions that they may not understand.
• Do Not: Promise that you will not tell anyone about the child’s disclosure.
• Do Not: Ask leading or suggestive questions.
• Do Not: Make angry or critical comments about the alleged perpetrator. The child often knows, loves, or likes this person.
• Do Not: Disclose information indiscriminately, keeping in mind the child’s right to privacy.
• Do Not: Make the child feel different or singled out.
• Do Not: ​Investigate a case yourself. Call the child welfare professionals and/or law enforcement.

Course Navigation Menu

1.  Course Agenda
​2.  What does being a mandated reporter mean?​
3.  Potential Signs of Neglect or Abuse
4.  Discussion: Alleged Incidents at Work (1/4)
5.  Suspecting Abuse
6.  Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms​​
​7. Your Role as a Mandated Reporter​ (2/4)

8.  Responding to a Child's Disclosure
9.  Do's and Don'ts
10. Discussion: Responding to the Child (3/4)
11. Myths About Abuse and Reporting
12. Quiz (4/4)
13. Evaluation Form​
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