See Something? Say Something!

Friday, September 30th, 2016

Whether you call it your “sixth sense” or listening to your gut, you know when something doesn’t seem right. Your responsibilities put you in a good position to observe children and be alert to unusual changes in behavior or moods. Unfortunately, you may even see an adult acting irresponsibly with a child or youth under your organization’s watch.

Recognizing and responding to abuse is part of your role as a leader. Be prepared to take action if you see something or have concerns about the behavior of an adult around a child, or the welfare of that child. It’s better to err on the side of caution than risk the chance of enabling an abuse situation to continue.

If you see something that doesn’t look right, say something! Don’t wait until you are certain; report it to your supervisor or department manager immediately. Depending on your state, you may also need to report the behavior to your local child protective services office or law-enforcement agency so professionals can assess the situation. Ask your supervisor whether you are a mandatory reporter, or do your own research. Organizations like Childhelp (1-800-4-A-Child) are trained to provide crisis assistance and answer your questions, even if you just suspect something.

As a leader, often you are the only source of help for a child. Safe Gatherings can help your organization train all of its staff and volunteers to learn about abuse and those who abuse, recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, and help stop abuse by reporting it. Contact us today to learn more about our system or GET STARTED.

See something? Say something!