June 2018 SPECIAL EDITION April, 2015 Newsletter | Page 6

April 2015

Stopping Child Abuse:
How You Can
Make A Difference

Will the child be taken away from the home if
I report?
Removing the child from the home is
NOT a routine occurrence. Unless the child is in
serious danger, the goal is to keep the family
together.
Over three million reports of child abuse are
made annually in the United States. That’s one report
every ten seconds.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans reminds us that
God chose all of us to protect His children, and have
launched a campaign promoting April as Child Abuse
Prevention Month. You may see signs at various
churches or schools like the one above.
Child abuse is a very difficult subject for many to
discuss, much less report to authorities. But it is very
important that we learn the warning signs and what to do
if we suspect a child may be being abused. Here are
some frequently asked questions about child abuse:
What is child abuse and how do I recognize it?
Child abuse includes physical abuse, physical
neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse of a child
under 18 years of age by a parent or other caretaker.
Possible signs of child abuse may include
unexplained injuries, bruises, or cuts, unusual difficulty
with toilet habits, or extreme fear of punishment.
Why should I report suspected child abuse?
We are called by God to protect His children, so
reporting child abuse may help a child and/or his or her
family in crisis, and possibly prevent a bad situation
from b ecoming worse.
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What if I make a mistake? Should I be certain
before I make a report?
You need to have a reasonable suspicion
of child abuse, not to prove it or be absolutely
certain. You might be mistaken, but it is better to
err on the side of the child. Not reporting your
suspicions may mean that abuse will continue.
How will I know what happens after I make a
report?
You may not know, except for possibly
seeing changes in the child and family. Because
of strict confidentiality rules, Family Services
investigators are not allowed to share information
about cases.
Who should I call if I suspect child abuse?
Contact the Department of Children and
Family Services at 1-855-4LA -KIDS (1-855-452
-5437) 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.

For more information, click
HERE or visit:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/