Child Advocacy Center

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​​Responding to Child Abuse

It takes courage for a child to talk about abuse.
If a child discloses abuse to you, stay calm and take immediate action.

  1.  Stay calm and encourage the child to speak freely. Try to ask non-leading questions based on what the child tells you.
  2.  Reassure the child that they are safe, and that they did nothing wrong.
  3.  Take immediate action. Call the child abuse hotline 1-800-252-2873 or make an online report at ​https://childabuse.illinois.gov​ or through the Online Reporting System​. If there are immediate safety concerns, also call 911.


If available to you, please have the following information:

  • Birth date (or age range), race, gender.
  • Addresses for both victims and perpetrators, including a current location.
  • Information about siblings and family members.
  • Any relevant information collected including the extent of any injuries, a child's disclosure of abuse, or the circumstances contributing to the risk of harm.

Any person who knowingly transmits a false report to DCFS commits the offense of disorderly conduct, a class 4 felony.

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