FIVE DAYS OF ACTION - DAY FIVE

RESPOND. Internet Safety

Did you know that you don’t need evidence to report abuse—only reasonable suspicion? But even for adults, reporting abuse is hard. We don’t want to falsely accuse someone or get someone in trouble. On the other hand, reporting might be the one thing that saves a child – or children – from abuse. It is our responsibility to RESPOND to any and all disclosure, discovery or suspicion of child sexual abuse. As adults and children alike have turned to digital tools for school, work and socialization, online safety matters now more than ever. Many online dangers put children at risk, such as cyber bullying, online enticement and more. As an adult, keeping an open line of communication with any children in your care who may access online content can be key to helping prevent sexual abuse. Learn the facts, how you can keep kids safe, and how to respond to online victimization at https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz.

Remember, 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.

In our county, you should report abuse to the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services by calling the 24 hour hotline at:

• (440) 350-4000 or (440) 918-4000 and Press #1