we need some faqs!
What do I do if a child tells me they are being abused?
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.
What do I do if I suspect child sexual abuse?
If you suspect that a child is being abused, call the Maine Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-452-1899.
What is a forensic interview?
A forensic interview is the type of interview used at Children's Advocacy Centers. It is a conversation that is set up around asking questions to get information. The person interviewing the child asks questions to get information from a child about something the child has seen or experienced. Forensic Interviewers are trained to ask open-ended questions in a child-friendly way that children can understand.
What do I do if I have more questions now?
You can always call the sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741. You can call 24/7. You can also text or chat with an advocate from Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. To text an advocate, text 1-800-871-7741 and to chat with an advocate online, click here.
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.
What do I do if I suspect child sexual abuse?
If you suspect that a child is being abused, call the Maine Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-452-1899.
What is a forensic interview?
A forensic interview is the type of interview used at Children's Advocacy Centers. It is a conversation that is set up around asking questions to get information. The person interviewing the child asks questions to get information from a child about something the child has seen or experienced. Forensic Interviewers are trained to ask open-ended questions in a child-friendly way that children can understand.
What do I do if I have more questions now?
You can always call the sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741. You can call 24/7. You can also text or chat with an advocate from Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. To text an advocate, text 1-800-871-7741 and to chat with an advocate online, click here.
