5 Days of Action: RESPOND.

We know that responding to child abuse may seem daunting, but with proper preparation you can feel confident in responding to a child in need and being the hero, they deserve.

First, it is important to know that you do not need evidence that a child is being abused to report it. All you need is a reasonable suspicion that abuse is happening. There are three reasons you should report – a child discloses that they are being abused, you discover abuse happening, or you suspect that something is not right. Disclosure, Discovery, Suspicion.

All adults should always act in the best interest of the child. But some individuals, like employees at the Y and teachers, are Mandated Reporters and required by law to report abuse. Laws vary by state – it may be to child protective services, a department of family and child services of your county, or law enforcement. Click your state below to see how to make a report and to find resources in your state including child advocacy centers and mental health services:

• Georgia
• South Carolina

Learn all the ways to respond to suspected abuse, including report it at www.fivedaysofaction.org.

Five Days of Action is an initiative of the YMCA Champions for Child Protection created and designed by Darkness to Light, with support from YMCA of the USA, The Redwoods Foundation, The American Camp Association, and the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.