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Reporting abuse depends on the type and objective of the abuse. Contacting law enforcement or non-profit organizations is a good starting point. Victims should report abuse immediately and seek help from trusted adults. Adults who witness abuse have an obligation to report it and provide evidence to law enforcement.
How you report abuse depends on several factors, such as the nature of the abuse and the objective of the abuse that is occurring. A general rule, however, is that contacting a local law enforcement agency or a specialized non-profit organization is often a great starting point for reporting an abuse. Even forms of abuse that aren’t necessarily illegal can sometimes be precursors to more extreme behavior that crosses the line and breaks the law. Early detection of abuse and alert agencies that can intercede on behalf of the victim can mean the difference between a bad situation and a deadly one. There are phone numbers and websites available for a number of groups that exist solely to help victims of abuse, such as Childhelp®, The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network® (RAINN), and The National Domestic Violence Hotline®.
You may discover that you are the victim of some form of abuse, be it physical, mental or verbal, in which case you have a duty to report the abuse immediately. If you’re a minor and don’t know who to contact to report abuse, start with adults you trust who don’t have an immediate relationship with the abuser. Young people who are abused at home by a parent or family member often don’t know who to get help to report the abuse. A teacher, police officer, doctor, or other adult you know and trust can be a good start and can often help you report the abuse or find someone who can help you directly.
If you are being abused by someone outside your family or in your extended family, start by reporting the behavior to your parents. They may not immediately believe you, especially if they trust the person who abused you, but you shouldn’t let such an initial response put you off. If your parents aren’t willing to help you, then step outside their circle and find an adult who can help you, such as a teacher or police officer.
As an adult who has been abused or witnessed someone else being abused, you have a very real obligation to yourself to report the behaviour. Too often victims are ashamed or intimidated to go and report the abuse themselves, and sometimes someone else has to step in and help a person who can’t help themselves. If the abuse is illegal, you should contact your local law enforcement immediately. Any type of documentation, such as photographs or videos showing evidence of abusive behavior, should be submitted immediately to help prove the abuse is occurring.
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