What To Do If You Think Someone is Being Abused
This is a hard question where there’s no easy answer. Whether you’re a friend, a parent, or you simply know someone on an acquaintance basis, if you have a suspicious that the person is being abused, it can be a hard feeling to shake, especially when you’re worried you might leave it too late and something bad might happen.
However, you’re then put in a position where you’re unsure what to do or how to proceed, and this can be a tough place to be, especially if you don’t feel like you can speak to anyone about it. Today, with all this in mind, we’re going to explore the exact steps you can take to make things right.
This article will focus primarily on children, but the same guidelines can apply to anyone making simple adjustments.
Talk to the Child
If you’re someone in a child’s life, it’s important to make sure you keep talking to them as you normally would. Having the realization that a child might be being abused can be shocking, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of distancing yourself from the situation unconsciously, even if you want to help.
However, communication is essential. While it can be difficult for a child to talk about their experiences, just keep talking to them and building the relationship. Let them know they can talk to you about anything. In time, they may come forward, and you’ll be able to get proper help.
Keep a Diary/Record
It’s easy to see something one day and make assumptions, but it’s important to keep to the facts. If you suspect someone is being abused, make sure you’re keeping a diary of things that happen on why you think this.
Note down dates the child is coming in with marks or signs of violence, or how often they see you and look emotionally drained or shocked. The more detail you write down, the more you’ll be able to monitor the situation.
This will be very important, especially if the child is being abused because they’ll be more evidence to support the case, This can happen in some ways, including under the child victims act, all of which are designed to help children in need.
Talk to a Professional
Whether you’re talking to a child abuse charity representative or an organization that helps to deal with abuse in individuals, there are numerous services and websites out there designed to give you the information you need on how to move forward.
Abuse cases can be incredibly complex because it depends on the nature of the individual case, which means the details can vary dramatically. However, taking the time to speak to a professional who can give you guidance and advice on where to go next can be the best way to know you’re taking the right steps.
Summary
As you can see, there are several things you can do if you’re in a position where you believe someone, a child, could be being abused. Make sure you’re being proactive and strong for that individual and be mindful of the steps you’re taking when moving forward.