Sacramento Advocate Scott Juceam Explains How to Report Child Abuse to the Proper Authorities

Online, July 19, 2010 (Newswire.com) - As part of his effort to decrease child abuse in the country, Sacramento advocate Scott Juceam has taken to his personal blog to provide information on reporting suspected child abuse.

"The only thing worse than suspecting child abuse is failing to report it," notes Scott. "On average, there are around 3 million reports of child abuse every year in the United States. Although you may not be able to prevent the abuse from happening, you can certainly take action by reporting it to the proper authorities."

Defining Abuse

There are several forms of child abuse you should be aware of in order to properly identify what you suspect before reporting it. The 4 main types of child abuse are physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse. If you are not sure which category the abuse you want to report falls under, do not hesitate to call the police. Also keep in mind that some forms of abuse, such as neglect, can be somewhat difficult to detect. This can include failure to provide proper clothing, food, or medical care to a child. It is a good rule of thumb to always call the authorities if the situation seems abusive.

Making a Case

When you report suspected child abuse to the authorities, they will want detailed accounts of what you have heard or saw, and what you suspect might be going on. In order to give them everything they need, you should write down everything you witness, with accurate dates and times related to each incident. You can expect to be asked for detailed information about the abuse, and should be prepared to provide it to the police. They will also ask you about your relationship to the child, and how well you know the perpetrator. Although you may want to, it is never a good idea to confront the perpetrator on your own, for the safety of the child it is best to leave the investigation to the police.

Who to Call

If you suspect child abuse, you should try to contact your local authorities as soon as possible. You can check the Internet to find a local child protective service, or call the police and have them put you in contact with some one who can help. Additionally, you can call ChildHelp - a national child abuse hotline - at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.