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You Are Safe Now, Inc. YASNI
  • Home
  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • Get Help
  • Resources
  • Donate

RESOURCES

 We have included several resources in this section about abuse, prevention and recovery on an individual and community level. We also offer training and materials for educators, counselors and other professionals.  

Child Abuse StatisticsSigns of Child AbuseIf a Child Discloses to YouHelpful Links

Child Abuse Statistics

 

• It’s highly likely that you know a child who has been, or is being, abused.


• 90% will never tell anyone about the abuse they suffer.


• In 2022 alone, DCFS received 38,494 reports of child abuse and neglect, with 22,580 of these being new cases.


• 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.


• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse by age 18.


• Up to 90% of kids have been approached for something online.


Signs of child ABUSE

 Below are indicators of child abuse that can include but are not limited to these signs. Some signs are more obvious than others. Trust your instincts! Suspicion of abuse is enough reason to call the hotline.You do not need proof.  

The Child Protection Hootline (800) 540-4000 

Unexplained Injuries

 Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of injuries.

Changes in Behavior

 Abuse can lead to many changes in a child’s behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.

Returning to Earlier Behavior

 Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers, loss of acquired language, or memory problems. 

Fear of Going Home

Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.

Changes in Eating

 The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child’s eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.

Changes in Sleeping

 Abused children may have frequent nightmares or difficulty falling asleep, which may result in the child appearing tired or fatigued. 

Changes in School Performance & Attendance

Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children’s injuries from authorities.

Lack of Personal Care or Hygiene

Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather. 

Risk-Taking Behavior

 Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.

Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.

If A Child Discloses To You

 

• Try to remain calm. Do not express shock, panic or disbelief, as this may cause a child to feel anxious or that they have done something wrong, and they may withhold or withdraw information.


• Find a private place to talk.

• Be a listener, not an investigator. Encourage the child to talk in their language and ask just enough questions to act protectively. Say, “Can you tell me more about that?” Do not conduct any form of interview with the child.


• Believe the child. Children rarely lie about sexual abuse.

• Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling you.


• Stress that what has happened is not their fault. Say, “You are not in trouble” and, “If I look or sound upset it is because adults want children to feel safe.”


• Check your tone of voice and help the child make sense of what you are feeling. Say, “I am feeling concerned for you. What can we do right now to help you feel safer?”


• Act protectively. Say, “You know some people do wrong things. It is up to grownups to protect children. Every child has a right to be safe; we have laws in Tennessee to help protect children.”


• Do not make promises you can’t keep (for example, promising you will not tell anyone, as you need to tell someone in order to get help for the child).


• Do not contact the abuser, regardless of who that person is. Leave this to the Department of Children Services and/or the police.

Helpful Links

For Kids

 My Body Belongs To Me [Animated Short Film] - YouTube 

 An animated short film to teach children about keeping safe from abuse 


For Parents, Caregivers & Professionals

  ConnectSafely - Online Safety Simplified 

 Education about safety, privacy and security online 



Navigating Child Sex Abuse

 cordiscosaile.com/navigating-child-sex-abuse/  

A Resource for Survivors and their Loved Ones


You Are Safe Now, Inc. YASNI

P.O. Box 36327, Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323)533-0799

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You Are Safe Now, Inc.

YASNI  

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