Step-by-step guide to report abuse

[Reddit TroubledTeens]

http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/c ... child_at_a

Were you abused as a teen or child at a residential treatment center? Here is a step-by-step guide to report the abuse.

I called http://www.childwelfare.gov (800.422.4453) and they gave me some information on how to report abuse in an RTC or group home. This includes therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness camps, boot camps, etc. Also see comments below for additional info.

1. Report the abuse to CPS. Here is a state listing of websites & numbers to call: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslis ... no=W-00082. You will want to call the state you were abused in, they said the report will initiate in that state and then it will get moved to the state you currently reside in. If your abuse was paid for by a local government agency, you will want to initiate the report in that state (ie, if Orange County, CA school system sent you to an RTC in Utah, you should contact the CA office of CPS).

2. If you don't feel that CPS is doing an adequate job, contact your State Liaison Office. Every state has one, and childwelfare.gov can help you find out how to contact yours.

3. If you still don't feel like your case has been properly handled, contact [justiceforchildren.org](http://justiceforchildren.org), 800-733-0059. They are a private, national agency that can help you with legal support.

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Also, Childhelp can help you with support resources. From their website (http://www.childwelfare.gov/responding/how.cfm):

Childhelp® is a national organization that provides crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. The [Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline](http://www.childwelfare.gov/survey/disc ... ng/how.cfm) is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with professional crisis counselors who have access to a database of 55,000 emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous. Contact them at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453).

[Reddit TroubledTeens]

These are the steps justiceforchildren.org recommends (http://justiceforchildren.org/request-help.asp):

1. Stay CALM!!! Do not let your emotions dictate your actions, and do not release your emotions onto persons who are supposed to investigate your case (CPS, Law enforcement, etc.)

2. IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY: Call 911 or your local police. If you are in the state of Texas and the child is in imminent danger, click here.

3. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING from this point forward, including times, dates, and places. COLLECT and KEEP all documents from all professionals who have an opinion about the child abuse. This includes therapists, doctors, policemen, and teachers. If a professional informs you that they have an opinion or a suspicion of child abuse, have them document that suspicion, preferably in the form of an affidavit. Be sure to get a copy of any opinions from professionals regarding your child's case.

4. HAVE YOUR CHILD EVALUATED. Talk to medical and psychology professionals. If possible, have your child evaluated at a Child Assessment Center (CAS).

5. BEGIN INVESTIGATION. Talk to Law Enforcement to initiate an investigation into the allegation of child abuse. Any reasonable belief of abuse or neglect should be reported to the police.

6. TALK TO Child Protective Services (CPS). If the abuse is not criminal, talk to CPS to initiate an investigation into the allegation of child abuse.

7. GET AN ATTORNEY. Get an attorney and start proceedings to gain full custody of your child and terminate the abuser's parental rights, if any.

8. CALL JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN. If you encounter a problem with completing steps 3-6, call JFC so that we can help! Call us at 1-800-733-0059. Office hours are M-F 8-5 pm Central Standard Time.

[Reddit TroubledTeens]

Just one single instance of abuse is wrong and should not be tolerated: http://www.pinehavenabuse.blogspot.com/ ... haven.html.