What to do when abuse is suspected?

Different kinds of abuse can take place. Domestic violence, child abuse, animal abuse, and elderly abuse. Each one of these requires a different process when it comes to reporting it to the appropriate authorities.

If you suspect that someone is involved in domestic violence, you must call the police right away. Due to the nature of this kind of abuse, it is best not to confront or intervene unless you feel it is necessary for the other person's safety. You don’t know if the person has a weapon or what kind of violence they are capable of, so it is always best to call the police immediately so they can intervene as quickly as possible.  If you have been experiencing domestic violence, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, the first thing you should do is call and make a report to the Department of Children’s Services. You can make these calls anonymously, so you don’t have to be afraid to make that call. If you feel the child is in immediate danger, you can also call the local police station and ask them to do a welfare check. They will usually follow up with you and let you know what the outcome was. In some circumstances, they will call the Department of Children’s Services depending on the severity of the situation. It is important to remember that you are a mandatory reporter if you work in a specific field, such as doctors, police officers, or education. This means if you suspect abuse or neglect, you have to make a report.

 If you suspect elderly abuse from a facility or home health care and feel they are in immediate danger, call 911. If they are not in immediate danger but you suspect that they are being mistreated or abused, you can call your local adult protective services and make a report. Often elderly people are in isolation. You must visit them often if they are in a facility. Be sure to understand the protocols of each facility and how they handle things like that. Be sure you investigate any signs of abuse or neglect with the person you feel is the victim by asking them questions. The more information you have about what is taking place will allow the proper authorities to see what is going on. Most elderly people will not report abuse, and they don’t always have a way to advocate for themselves.

If you suspect animal abuse, you can call your local police department. Be sure to have all the data you need to support your claim of animal abuse, such as what you have observed, dates and times if possible. You can also contact your local shelter if you have concerns or questions.

When it comes to reporting abuse, it is important to remember that your job is to report. The proper authorities will investigate it.