Help A Child

Report Abuse or Neglect

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911.  If you suspect abuse or neglect – or if a child tells you about abuse, make a report by calling the Kansas 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline:  1-800-922-5330

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Mandated reporters of abuse can also report abuse electronically at https://fw7.harmonyis.net/KansasLiveWebIntake/ 

 

Child abuse is mistreatment of a child that results in harm or injury.  It can be physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect.

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Child sexual abuse is when one or more individuals use a child for sexual gratification of themselves, the child, or another person, whether or not it involves touching the child.  Sexual abuse does not always include sexual intercourse, and even includes things like taking sexually explicit photos or videos involving children.

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An addition to the sexual abuse definition is human trafficking.  Adults and children can be victims of human trafficking, but any person under the age of 18 who trades sex for anything of value (food, shelter, money, protection, etc).  There does not have to be any force, fraud, threats, or coercion for a child to be considered trafficked.  All children who engage in sexual activity in exchange for anything of value are victims.

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Child neglect is failure to provide a child with needed care and protection.  Child neglect and child abuse differ, although their results can be similar.  Both can cause serious physical injury, emotional harm and even death.  Neglect is what a parent or other guardian does NOT do, rather than what he or she does. 

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Signs of Abuse

These are only some of the possible physical and behavior signs of abuse though some of the signs listed may indicate problems that do NOT involve abuse.

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• Unexplained bruises or injuries

• Depression, mood changes

• Crying, sadness

• Nausea, upset stomach

• Nightmares, bed-wetting, fear of going to bed

• Loss of appetite

• Irritability, anger, hostility

• Temper tantrums

• Sexually inappropriate behavior

• Isolation or secrecy

• The wish to withdraw from usual activities

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Signs of Neglect

These are only some of the possible physical and

behavior signs of neglect though some of the signs

listed may indicate problems that do NOT involve neglect.

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• Extreme behavior

• Uncleanliness

• Weather inappropriate clothing, ill-fitting clothing

• Lack of supervision

• Need for medical care

• Low weight

• Tiredness, distracted

• Developmental delays 

• Unaccompanied child (lack of supervision)

 

The Kansas Department for Children and Families is responsible for responding to reports of alleged abuse or neglect of a child. SOS’ mission involves improving the lives of those affected by sexual and domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. The two programs that mainly deal with child abuse are our Child Advocacy Center, and CASA of the Flint Hills.

You can read more about child abuse reporting here: Kansas Reporting Hotlines

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