I hope that none of you ever need this link but here it is

tiki_t

I suspect that someone I know (kid) is being sexually abused. It is really hard because it is someone close and I wasn't sure if it was abuse or not. We just observed some situations that raised some eyebrows. I finally found a really good web site that has a toll free number and professionals to answer questions. My mother and I are calling in the morning to verify that whether what is going on is worth being concerned about (which we are) or not. It's our objective way of proceeding. No one wants to call CPS on someone near to them if they aren't 100% sure, if you know what I mean. This web site really helped me, so I thought I would share. The reason I felt the need to share is because it took a lot of web searching to find it and that means more time has gone by... which if something is really going on, means more abuse. Please bookmark or visit this site to learn more.

Here's the web address https://www.stopitnow.org

 

Again, I hope that none of you are ever in this situation but it can't hurt to be prepared so that you can nip it in the bud if you do face it. 

Mrs_Shmoopie

Thanks, T.  I hope I never have to use it.  And I truly hope you're wrong about your suspicions re: the kid you know but, either way, I'm glad this child has someone looking out for him/her. 

kittylove

Calling CPS is so hard no matter what kind of abuse you suspect when the person is close to you. Thanks for the link and for calling. It might be really hard to make the call but if there is abuse you will be glad you did.

pkw

If you need any advice in the criminal sense...call me.  One of my good friends works in sexual assaults and specializes in children.  She can really help if you need that kind of help.

tiki_t

PKW:

If you need any advice in the criminal sense...call me.  One of my good friends works in sexual assaults and specializes in children.  She can really help if you need that kind of help.

Thanks!

Celyn

Thanks for posting and caring enough to intervene.

tiki_t

Just to follow up... we had to wait until today to call because the professional was only there on Thursdays. The incidents that we described raised their eyebrows too so I'm glad that we are not alone. The advice line gave us numbers of local people (therapists, etc) to contact to investigate further but they said it was definitely worth looking into and mentioning. I'm glad that we called. Now to pass on the information and if the parents don't do anything, then we'll be forced to call CPS.