What can we do if we suspect that someone we know is being abused?
It is very disturbing to suspect someone we know of sexually abusing a child, especially if the person is a friend or a member of the family. It is so much easier to dismiss such thoughts and put them down to imagination. But it is better to talk over the situation with someone than to discover later that we were right to be worried. And remember, we are not alone. Thousands of people every year discover that someone in their family or circle of friends has abused a child. Children who are abused and their families need professional help to recover from their experience.
Action can lead to abuse being prevented, and children who are being abused receiving protection and help to recover. It can also lead to the abuser getting effective treatment to stop abusing and becoming a safer member of our community.
If the abuser is someone close to us, we need to get support for ourselves too.
Action you can take:
Contact the Stop it Now! Helpline on 0808 1000 900
If you are unsure or worried about your own thoughts or behaviour towards children, or the behaviour of someone you know, whether they are an adult or a child, our experienced advisors will talk over your worries with you and can offer confidential advice on what steps you could take.
Contact your local police and social services
The police and social services have joint working arrangements for responding to suspected child sexual abuse. Someone will talk to you about your concerns and may ask for details so the situation can be investigated further. Police and social services
teams are very experienced in this work and will deal sensitively with the child and family. Remember, child sexual abuse is a crime and abusers may need to go to court before the abuse stops and they and the child get the help they need.
Confidentiality Statement
The Helpline and e-mail help offer a confidential service to adults seeking advice or information who do not choose to identify themselves or other parties. However, when information is disclosed that identifies a child at risk, or an adult who is alleged to have committed an offence against a child, this will be reported in accordance with child protection procedures.
Please note: This includes a personal disclosure that an offence has been committed such as the possession or distribution of indecent images of children on a computer.
