Reporting Child Abuse

SSABER Model

None of us want to think of being in a situation where a child is telling us that he/she is being abused. However, if you think through your emotional response before you encounter a possible case of abuse, you'll be able to respond in a much more supportive manner. This model was developed by NOVA/PCAR as a tool to use when responding to a child who is disclosing abuse.

The SSABER model

Stay Calm - "I am here to help you." It is important to stay calm. Establish an atmosphere in which the child knows that you regard what he/she is saying as very important, and that this is something you know how to handle.

Support - "I am sorry this happened to you." Offer support to the child. Stop everything else that you are doing. Nothing else is more important at this time than supporting the child. Use active listening such as appropriate eye contact, reflective facial expressions, nodding, and leaning forward. Turn off your cell phone and your email messages.

Affirm - "You did the right thing by telling me." Most children who have been abused or are being abused have been told not tell about the abuse. Abuse thrives in secrecy. Children struggle with the decision to tell or not to tell. Very early in the conversation, affirm that the child did the right thing by telling. Do not judge the child for not telling earlier, or question why he/she didn’t tell someone sooner.

Believe - "It’s not your fault, I believe you." Reassure the child that the abuse was not his/her fault. Children often feel they have done something wrong or caused the abuse to happen. Perpetrators and offenders may have even told the child that the abuse was his/her fault. In addition to the feelings of guilt, children are often fearful that an adult will not believe him/her if they do tell. It is helpful and reassuring to tell the child directly that you believe them. It is not your role as a mandated reporter to determine whether or not the abuse occurred or to conduct an investigation yourself. It is your role and responsibility to believe the child and be his/her advocate by making a report.

Empower - "You have the right to be safe." Children have a right to be safe. Adults have the responsibility to help ensure this right if they suspect or know that a child is not safe. Empower the child by saying his/her safety is important to you and it is part of your job.

Report - "We need to tell others about this to help you." To keep a child safe when abuse is suspected, you must report to people with the power to end the abuse. Be upfront with the child that it is your responsibility to report the abuse to someone with authority who will investigate the abuse and help him/her further with the child's right to be safe.

When you are talking with a child who is disclosing abuse, your words don't have to be perfect! Start slowly and say something — silence is scarier for a child than hearing your explanation.

As a part of your response, you may feel the need to ask the child questions. We will learn more about the appropriate questions to ask in the next section.