Elder, spousal and child abuse can happen in any household regardless of income or education levels. Although reporting suspected instances of abuse can make you feel as if you're intruding on a family's private life, your report can protect helpless people who are otherwise unable to protect themselves. By educating yourself about the common signs of abuse and taking the appropriate action, you can serve a valuable role in stopping a victim from being abused further.
Step 1
Look for signs of abuse. Abuse comes in a wide variety of forms, such as physical, emotional and sexual. Not all abuse is illegal, but people in abusive relationships typically exhibit similar behaviors. Obvious signs of physical abuse like bruises and recurring injuries are easiest to spot, while less obvious signs such as depression, anxiety and sudden changes in mood or temperament are more difficult.
Step 2
Watch for signs of an abusive person. Abusive personalities often exhibits similar traits as well. Controlling behavior and the use of derogatory or demeaning language towards the victim are common behaviors in abusers.
Step 3
Talk to a counselor. Although many abuse victims often feel powerless to stop the abuse, and may even defend their abusers by insisting no such abuse is taking place, you can confront an abuse victim about what you've seen or believe. You can talk to an adult whenever you like, but confronting a child about abuse is a delicate matter; talk to a mental health counselor or qualified professional for advice about the best way to talk to an abused person about the situation.
Step 4
Report the abuse to the police. You can contact the police at any time to report suspected crimes and instances of abuse. Call 9-1-1 if you believe there is immediate danger to a person or a crime is in progress; otherwise, call your local police department phone number directly.
Step 5
Call your state abuse hotline. For child and elder abuse, you can also contact the appropriate state agency that investigates these situations. For a list of elder abuse contacts by state, go to NCEA.AOA.gov. For a list of child abuse contacts by state, view ChildWelfare.gov.
Tips and Warnings
- You don't have to be an expert about the law to report a suspected instance of abuse. All you have to do is tell the appropriate authorities what you saw, know or believe. The state has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute any crimes, not you.
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