My child just told me something
Do these six things. Nothing else right now.
- Stay calm. Your face is the thing your child is reading. If you look shocked or angry, they may stop talking.
- Say these words: "I believe you. I'm glad you told me. You are not in trouble."
- Ask one question only: "Are you safe right now?" Ask nothing else. Not who, not when, not why.
- Do not promise to keep it secret. Say: "I have to tell someone whose job is to help. I'll tell you who."
- Write down what they said in their exact words, as soon as you can. Use quotation marks. Note the date and time.
- Contact the appropriate reporting agency. Find your state’s reporting contacts. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Trained interviewers ask children about this in a specific way. Ordinary questions — even kind ones — can change what a child remembers and can make their account unusable in court. You are not helping by finding out more. You are helping by calling.
Do not confront the person
It puts your child in danger and it gives the person time to delete things. Let the investigators do it.
What happens after you call
The hotline decides whether it meets the standard for an investigation. If it does, trained people take it from there, and your child may be interviewed at a Children's Advocacy Center by someone who does this for a living. That is a good thing.
Follow your state’s reporting guidance
Reporting duties and legal protections depend on your state and role. The state help desk links to official reporting instructions and state law references.
For support and help finding the right agency, call or text 1-800-422-4453, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. This support call does not replace a report required by law.