http://www.byfaithonly.com/stopabuse.html

Help Stop Abuse

The following information was provided by Childhelp USA. If some or any of the information here offends anyone I do apologize but I feel this is information that needs to be passed on to more and more people. There was a day when such topics were not discussed and many many children went unprotected. Having lived threw abuse myself I know what many of the effects it can have not only as a child but in adulthood also.
It is my prayer that if this information prevents even just one child from experiencing pain then it is worth offending a few. As I have said before Children are our most prized possession and they should be treated so. Because of the abuse I experienced I can assure you that if I suspected a child was being abused in any way shape or form I would report it in a heartbeat with no regrets or concern at all for myself. Before you leave please feel free to pick up your free globe towards the bottom of this page - a gift from me to all the children in the world.

What is child abuse?
Although there are many formal and acceptable definitions of child abuse, the following is offered as a guide. Child abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse includes any damage done to a child which cannot be reasonably explained and which is often represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature.

Major forms of child abuse

Physical abuse - Any non-accidental injury to a child. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping, and paddling.

Emotional abuse - Any attitude or behavior, which interferes with a child's mental health or social development. This includes yelling, screaming, name-calling, shaming, negative comparisons to others, telling them they are "bad, no good, worthless" or "a mistake".

Neglect - Physical - Failure to provide for a child's physical needs. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food, inappropriate clothing for season or weather, abandonment, denial of medical care, and inadequate hygiene.

Neglect - Emotional - Failure to provide affection and support necessary for the development of emotional, social, physical and intellectual well being of a child. This includes ignoring, lack of appropriate physical affection (hugs), not saying "I love you," withdrawal of attention, lack of praise, lack of positive reinforcement.

Sexual abuse - Any sexual act between an adult and child. This includes fondling, penetration, intercourse, exploitation, pornography, exhibitionism, child prostitution, group sex, oral sex, or forced observation of sexual acts.

Who inflicts the abuse?

Child abusers are found among all social-economic, religious and ethnic groups and are most often ordinary people who are trapped in a stressful life situation with which they cannot cope satisfactorily.

A child abuser is usually a person closely related to the child, such as a parent, stepparent or other caretaker. The child abuser is seldom a total stranger.

If you suspect a child is being abused:


1) Call the Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD® to learn the reporting agency for your geographic area and situation. This is frequently a law enforcement agency (police or sheriff's department), and/or the local child welfare agency (DCFS, HRS, CPS,CFS, etc.).
2) Suspicion of abuse is all that is necessary to file a report
3) Your information can be given anonymously
4) Information which will be most helpful: the child's name, age, address, gender, school attended (if possible), and names of parents
5) Upon receiving your information, the child welfare agency will determine the appropriate course of action


States with Toll Free Child Abuse Reporting Numbers

Arkansas
(800) 482-5964
Arizona
(800) 330-1822
Connecticut
(800) 842-2288

Delaware
(800) 292-9582
Florida
(800) 962-2873
Iowa
(800) 362-2178

Illinois
(800) 252-2873
Indiana
(800) 562-2407
Kansas
(800) 922-5330

Kentucky
(800) 752-6200
Massachusetts
(800) 792-5200
Maine
(800) 452-1999

Michigan
(800) 942-4357
Missouri
(800) 392-3738
Mississippi
(800) 222-8000

Montana
(800) 332-6100
North Carolina
(800) 662-7030
Nebraska
(800) 652-1999

New Hampshire
(800) 894-5533
New Jersey
(800) 792-8610
New Mexico
(800) 432-2075

Nevada
(800) 992-5757
New York
(800) 342-3720
Oklahoma
(800) 522-3511

Oregon
(800) 854-3508
Pennsylvania
(800) 932-0313
Rhode Island
(800) 742-4453

Texas
(800) 252-5400
Utah
(800) 678-9399
Virginia
(800) 552-7906

Washington
(800) 562-5624
West Virginia
(800) 352-6513






Both the reporting party and the child who is allegedly being abused must reside in the same state for the following reporting numbers to be valid. When the reporting party resides in a different state than the child,or for states not listed, please call Childhelp's National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4 A CHILD (800-422-4453).
TDD: 1-800-2 A CHILD.
Childhelp USA is a non-profit agency , and is not involved in investigations by a government agency. Hotline counselors are able to provide the state or county reporting number to callers or to provide other referrals.