What to do if you suspect child abuse
Pennsylvania State University’s virtual meltdown this week over accusations that a trusted coach molested eight boys over 15 years has once again made sexual abuse of children a hot topic.
So what should you do if you suspect sexual assault or child abuse?
If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, call your local Department of Human Resources (DHR) or Child Protective Services (CPS) agency.
In Phenix City or Russell County:
- Department of Human Resources (DHR)—(334) 214-5780
In Surrounding Alabama Counties:
- Barbour County (334) 775-2000
- Bullock County (334) 738-2740
- Lee County (334) 749-8164
- Macon County (334) 725-2100
In Columbus or Muscogee County:
- Sexual Assault Support Center – 706-571-6010
- Muscogee County DFCS – (706) 649-7311
In Surrounding Georgia Counties:
- Harris County DFCS (706) 628-4226
- Talbot County DFCS (706) 665-8524
- Chattahoochee County DFCS (706) 989-3681
- Marion County DFCS (229) 649-2311
- Stewart County DFCS (229) 838-4335
If you are not sure what to do, call the: Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline,
- 1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453)
What happens next?
Children who disclose abuse (and their non-offending family members) are referred to their local Child Advocacy Center to be interviewed by a trained forensic interviewer. Children are provided with a neutral, child friendly environment to be interviewed. Law enforcement and DHR are available and if disclosure occurs during the interview, law enforcement, along with the District Attorney’s office, will determine if questioning of the offender needs to occur.
Residents in East Alabama and West Central Georgia are blessed with three wonderful Child Advocacy Centers that provides a safe place in a child-friendly environment for the evaluation of child sexual abuse. All three promote multi-agency cooperation, provide on-site forensic interviews, counseling, play therapy, forensic medical examinations for child victims of suspected sexual abuse, court accompaniment, and support for non-offending family members:
- Children’s Tree House Advocacy Center (serving Columbus, GA and the six-county Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit)
- Russell Co Child Advocacy Center (serving Phenix City and Russell County residents).
- Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County (serving Troup County)
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com
