When an attempt is made to talk to someone about the abuse, many children are unable to communicate what is happening. Even when the child is quite verbal, the listener may dismiss the story or accuse the child of lying. If no action is taken to protect the child from further abuse, the child may not initiate the subject again.
Some children believe that something bad will happen if they break the secret of abuse. Often the offender uses threats to keep the child silent. The offender may tell the child that no one will believe the story if she/he tells or the offender may physically threaten the child or his family. No matter how a child discloses the abuse, it is important that the child has placed trust in you. Don't try to decide for yourself whether or not the allegations are true. Don't try to investigate. Child Protective Services and your local law enforcement are trained to do that.
Let the child know you are glad she/he told you. If you are a mandated reporter, tell the child that the law requires that you report it. WV Code §49-6A-2 states that when any mandated reporter has reasonable causes to suspect that a child is neglected or abused or observes the child being subjected to conditions that are likely to result in abuse or neglect, such person shall immediately, and not more than 48 hours after suspecting this abuse, report the circumstances or cause a report to be made to the WV Department of Health and Human Resources. In any case where the reporter believes that the child suffered serious physical abuse or sexual abuse or sexual assault, the reporter shall also immediately report, or cause a report to be made, to the State Police and any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the complaint. (See Mandated Reporting Requirements for Child Sexual Abuse below for more details.)
Reports of suspected child abuse and neglect are made by calling Child Protective Services' 24 hour hotline at 1-800-352-6513.