How you can Help a Child Witness of Abuse

• Acknowledge that the abuse is not the child’s fault and consistently remind the child of that fact.
• Listen very carefully to what the child is telling you and only ask questions to clarify your understanding.
• Be supportive, children need someone on whom they can rely.
• Model appropriate behavior for the child. Show the child how to properly handle anger, conflict and frustration.
• Acknowledge that the child has a right to their feelings, however, also acknowledge that they have no right to harm others because of those feelings.
• Help the child develop their own "safety plan".
• Help the child identify ways to determine when violence is imminent; and, what steps to take to be safe.
• Assist the child in recalling ways they were able to feel safe in the past.
• Teach the child how to use 911.
• Ask the child what additional things s/he can think of to be safe?
• DO NOT ignore or pretend the abuse is not happening; do not minimize.
• Determine if the non-offending parent and/or child need medical attention, if they do, assist them in contacting help immediately.

If you become aware of abuse and/or neglect of a minor child, Indiana law requires that you immediately report the incident(s) to the Department of Child Services in the county where the abuse/neglect occurred and/or the Indiana State Police for investigation.

Source: Violence Against Women Online Resources

For additional information please see:

• Child Safety Plan
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