If you Suspect Child Abuse, Report It

If you suspect that a child has been abused, you should contact CHILDLINE (1-800-932-0313) immediately. Reports may be made anonymously; the name of the person reporting the abuse will not be released.

Behavioral indicators of child sexual abuse include, but are not limited to
 

• Sexually aggressive behavior with others
• Detailed and overly sophisticated understanding of sexual behavior
• Sexual themes in child's artwork, stories or plays
• Regressive behavior; sudden onset of soiling and wetting
• Withdrawal into fantasy worlds
• Sleep disturbances and nightmares
• Changes in appetite
• Anxiety, depression, phobias, obsession
• Overly compliant behavior
• Acting like a parent or spouse
• Delinquent or aggressive behavior
• Poor or deteriorating relationships with peers
• Deterioration in school performance
• Truancy/running away
• Prostitution
• Suicidal feelings 
  

   

• WHAT IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED?

• Remain calm
• Isolate the child from the alleged perpetrator
• Let the child tell you what happened in their own words
• Reassure the child that they have done nothing wrong
• Seek medical attention if necessary. Medical attention may be required in cases even wherever signs of injury are not immediately apparent
• Report the incident
  • CHILDLINE (1-800-932-0313)
  • Local police department, or
  • Dauphin County Children and Youth