Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers
  • Home
  • the network
    • Mission & Contact Us
    • prevention work
  • get help
    • how to respond
    • maine resources
  • Maine's Efforts
    • Maine's CACs
    • how it works
    • cacs work
    • Your Questions
RESPONDING TO A DISCLOSURE

listen & report

When a child discloses

When a child tells someone that they are being abused it can be scary to think about what comes next. Feeling scared or unsure is normal and okay. Here are some steps you can take to help:
​
    Do not question the child. Investigators are trained to ask the right questions to get the right information.
    Listen to the child and keep calm. Tell them that it is not their fault.
    Write down what the child says and what you see or notice.
    Be honest and don’t make promises you may not be able to keep (“The offender will go to jail” or “You will never have to see them again.”).
    Do not confront the suspected offender.
    Report it! Call the DHHS Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-452-1999. Call the police in the town/place where the abuse happened.

Reporting abuse can seem scary or hard. It also may change a child's life.

Picture
The Network is a program of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Picture
Proudly accredited by the National Children's Alliance
Picture
Funded in part by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, and by your generous public and private donations.
Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741. For more information, click here. 

For information on how to report child abuse click here or call 1-800-452-1999 or Maine Relay (711) for Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

In accordance with federal regulations, the Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers does not discriminate in the access to or provision of its services.
  • Home
  • the network
    • Mission & Contact Us
    • prevention work
  • get help
    • how to respond
    • maine resources
  • Maine's Efforts
    • Maine's CACs
    • how it works
    • cacs work
    • Your Questions