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If you are concerned about a child, you may feel that you are facing the problem alone - you are not. There are skilled people who will assist you. Anyone who is concerned about a child needs to take responsibility and act to protect that child. Your actions can help to ensure that any abuse is stopped as quickly as possible.

What is child abuse?

Children can be abused by the direct actions of an adult such as physical beating or because an adult fails to act. For example, by failing to provide proper food or clothing for a child. Children can be abused by strangers, adults they know or members of their own family. In law, young people are children until their 18th birthday. Child abuse can occur at any age from birth onwards.

The main forms of child abuse are:

Physical abuse

This is when children are physically hurt or injured by an adult for instance, by hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning, biting, and administering drugs or poison.

Sexual abuse

This is when children are used by adults to meet their own sexual needs. It might include specific sexual contact or showing children pornographic material including videos.

Emotional abuse

This is when children are persistently denied love and affection. Children suffer when they are constantly shouted at, threatened, ridiculed or taunted.

Neglect

This is when adults fail to meet children's basic needs like food or warm clothing. Children might be generally uncared for, regularly left alone or unsupervised.

Abuse and neglect can affect a child at any age. The abuse can be so damaging that some children may take a long time to recover. In some cases the effects of the abuse will remain with the person forever.

What will happen?

You may feel worried that if you report Child Abuse, the child's family will be split up. Only in extreme circumstances will court action be taken which may result in family separation.

If abuse has taken place, the agencies involved will always consider what is best for the child. That usually means providing help and advice for the family, to make sure that the children will be safe and well cared for in the future.

What action should I take if I suspect Child Abuse?

• DO listen to the child.
• DO take what the child says seriously.
• DO act quickly.
• DO share your worries with Social Services, the Police or the NSPCC.
• DON'T probe or push the child for explanations.
• DON'T assume that someone else knows and will help the child. You must act.
• DON'T be afraid to voice your concerns. The child may need urgent protection and help.

Who should I contact?

You should contact your nearest Social Services Office. Ask to speak to a children and families Social Worker who will make an accurate record of your concerns and , with the Police, decide what action should be taken. The numbers for the Social Services Offices in Knowsley are:

• Huyton Team 1 0151 443 5023
• Huyton Team 2 0151 443 5033
• Kirkby Team 0151 443 4239
• South Team (Halewood/Whiston) 0151 443 2114

Please note that if you prefer, you can contact the Police directly or the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) who operate a 24 hour national child protection line.