Far too many kids are exposed to abuse and neglect, both physical and emotional, and although it’s not pleasant to think about, statistics would indicate that you probably know at least one family that’s causing harm to their kids. If you’re in contact with a child through the school or after school clubs, or maybe it’s a friend of your own child, how would you know if they’re at risk, and what should you do if you suspect there’s a problem?

Signs that a child is at risk

Wondering whether a child is being neglected or abused isn’t the first question you’d ask yourself on an average day, and looking for possible indications of trouble at home in every child you meet isn’t a helpful or practical approach. Some people feel they have an instinct for when a child is unhappy or uncared for, and if you’re a parent yourself, you may well be sensitive to an unhappy child.

On a practical level, a child who is unkempt, has dirty or ill-fitting clothes, or misses school on a regular basis could be experiencing problems at home. Changes in a child’s personality, or being very quiet or disruptive could indicate they’re having emotional problems. These signs don’t mean a child is being abused; it could be that they live with a single parent who is struggling financially or has their own health problems – they could well be doing their best, but finding it hard to cope. Parents could be going through alcohol or narcotics withdrawal, like the treatments offered at this rehab center, and need support rather than condemnation.

What should you do if you’re worried about a child?

If you know them well, then you might be tempted to try talking to the child and finding out what’s wrong. Unfortunately, an act of kindness like this is rarely productive, because there’s so much you don’t know about the situation, and you won’t have the skills or authority to help.

Every US state has a system in place for people to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, so the best action to take is contacting Child Protective Services (CPS) and tell them of your fears. CPS professionals are trained in assessing cases reported to them and intervening if a child is in need, so if you have sincere concerns it’s always best to give them a call and let them take over.

Calls to the CPS are confidential and toll-free, and you can find a list of numbers online at the Child Welfare Information Gateway website. The site also gives more information about the procedure in each state and is a good source of information on child welfare issues.

If you’re worried about a child’s welfare, you have a duty to take action. There may not be a problem, but if there is, it’s better to have done something about it than ignored it and let the child continue to suffer. We should all be looking out for children and doing our best to make sure they live happy, healthy lives.