Hurt or afraid?

• It is never okay for you or any child to be hurt or feel afraid.
• When an adult hurts a child, they need to be STOPPED.
• Don’t be afraid to tell another adult if you think child abuse is happening to you or a friend.

What is child abuse?

Child abuse is when a parent, adult or teenager hurts or injures a child on purpose. Usually, spanking is not child abuse, but if you or someone you know is bruised or hurt when an adult spanks, then that is abuse.

If an adult or teenager uses hurtful words all of the time, tricks a child or forces a child to touch or show his/her private parts or look at their private parts, that is child abuse.

If an adult does not take care of a child by giving him/her food and clothing, that is also child abuse.

To learn more about child abuse, please go here.

Not sure?

If you are still not sure if child abuse is happening to you or a friend, ask yourself these questions:

• Are punishments leaving you or your friend injured and bruised?
• Is somebody touching you in a way that makes you feel wrong or uncomfortable?
• Have you been left alone for days at a time?
• Do you get punished without understanding why?

A person who wants to abuse kids might be a stranger or it could be someone you know. If any of these things are happening to you or a friend, it is important to talk to someone or call 911.

To learn more about child abuse, please go here.

Looking for help?

There are many people to talk to, like a teacher, school counselor, coach, family member or another grownup that you trust. You can also call 1-800-922-5330 or 911 if you can’t find a person to talk to.

For other places to look for help, please go here.