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Report Abuse

“Less than 1/3 of victims told a peer or a parent immediately after an incident occurs. They found that 1/3 of victims delay disclosure up to five years, and that 1/3 wait longer than five years.”

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Townsend, C. (2016). Child sexual abuse disclosure: What practitioners need to know.
Charleston, S.C., Darkness to Light. Retrieved from www.D2L.org.

T.C.A.37.1.403: “(a) (1) Any person who has knowledge of or is called upon to render aid to any child who is suffering from or has sustained any wound, injury, disability, or physical or mental condition shall report such harm immediately if the harm is of such a nature as to reasonably indicate that it has been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect or that, on the basis of available information, reasonably appears to have been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect.”


Child Abuse Hotline: 1-877-237-0004

Report Online:  https://apps.tn.gov/carat/

All reports are confidential and can be made anonymously. 

Hide and Seek

Has A Child Confided In You?

What To Do:

Remain Calm

  • Do not overreact

  • Believe them

  • Allow them to speak, but do not press them with questions or overwhelm them.

  • Show interest and concern

  • Reassure and support them

  • Do not blame them, or minimize their feelings

  • Do not promise anything you cannot control

  • Do not confront the offender

Gather Information

  • Name, age, date of birth, address, current location, name of person caring for child

  • Do they need medical treatment?

  • Parent/guardian information: Name, address, contact info, any history of domestic violence, abuse or drug abuse, criminal history, mental health issues, or history with DCS.​​​

  • Perpetrator information: Name, address, contact info, relation to child, behavioral issues, and other children who may be at risk.

  • Allegation: What happened, the extent of any injuries sustained, when, and where it occurred.

  • Any further relevant info.

Report It

  • Contact the Child Abuse Hotline (1-877-237-0004)

  • Contact us

Signs Of Abuse

  • Unexplained Injuries: bruises, swelling, burns, bleeding

  • Changes in mood or behaviors (unusual hostility or aggression)

  • Trust Issues

  • Returning to earlier age behaviors

  • Fear of going home

  • Fear or dislike of certain people or places

  • Changes in sleeping or eating

  • Changes in school performance or attendance

  • Lack of personal care or hygiene

  • Risk-taking behaviors

  • Advanced sexual knowledge or behaviors

  • These are just a few potential indicators of child abuse or neglect. There may be other signs. Some warning signs may be more obvious than others, trust your instincts. You do not need proof, suspected abuse is enough reason to make a report.

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