How You Can Help
Know the Signs
Since opening our doors in 1994, The CASIE Center has served more than 30,000 children and families in our community. Through prevention education, advocacy, and intervention services, we work every day to help children feel safe, supported, and heard.
CASIE’s Safety Matters Program has also provided more than 50,000 students in St. Joseph County with age-appropriate lessons on body safety, bullying prevention, and internet safety. Together, with supporters like you, we are helping build a safer and more resilient community for children.
Know the Signs of Abuse
Recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect can help protect a child and connect them to support sooner. Every situation is different, and signs may vary depending on the child’s age, personality, and circumstances.
Some possible signs of child abuse may include:
- Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or self-esteem
- Withdrawal from friends, activities, or school
- Significant changes in grades or attendance
- Unexplained bruises, injuries, or marks
- Explanations for injuries that do not make sense
- Regression in behavior, such as bedwetting after being potty trained
- Sexual knowledge or behaviors that are not age-appropriate
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Fear of going home or being around certain individuals
- Appearing anxious, fearful, or overly “coached” when speaking
Understanding Child Neglect
Neglect is a form of child abuse that occurs when a child’s basic physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs are not being met. While neglect may not always leave visible injuries, its effects can be serious and long-lasting.
Signs of neglect may include:
- Lack of adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care
- Frequent hunger or saving food for later
- Poor hygiene or consistently unclean appearance
- Frequent absences from school
- Being left alone or supervised by other young children
- Untreated medical, dental, or vision needs
- Parents or caregivers impaired by substance use
- Unrealistic expectations of the child’s behavior or development
- Lack of emotional support, supervision, or stability
It is important to remember that poverty alone is not child abuse. Families may need support and resources, and every situation should be considered carefully and compassionately.
If a Child Tells You They Are Being Abused
When a child shares concerns about abuse or harm, this is often called an “outcry.” How an adult responds can make a significant difference in helping the child feel safe and supported.
Here are important ways to respond:
- Believe the child
- Take what the child says seriously
- Understand that most abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts
- Stay calm and listen
- Allow the child to speak in their own words
- Avoid interrupting, pressuring, or asking detailed questions
- If needed, use simple, open-ended prompts such as:
- “Can you tell me more about that?”
- “What happened next?”
- Reassure the child
- Let the child know they did the right thing by telling someone. Simple responses such as
- “Thank you for telling me” or “I’m glad you told me” can help the child feel supported
- Use age-appropriate language
- Please remember that children may not have the words to describe what happened.
- Use simple, child-friendly language when speaking with them.
- Do not investigate
- Avoid questioning the child repeatedly or confronting the person being discussed
- Specially trained professionals are responsible for conducting interviews and investigations
- Report your concerns immediately
- Contact the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline as soon as possible.
- Early reporting helps protect children and connect families with support and services.
Reporting Suspected Abuse
Indiana is a mandatory reporting state. Indiana law requires any person who suspects a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect to make a report.
If you suspect abuse or neglect:
Call the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-800-5556
Call 911 in an emergency situation
You do not need “proof” to make a report.
If you are concerned about a child’s safety, it is always best to report your concerns and allow trained professionals to assess the situation.