Ring any alarm bells?

If we see a child in danger or suspect a child might be at risk of harm, it’s natural instinct to protect them and deliver them to safety.

The most common signs of child abuse send pretty clear alarm signals that a child is not safe. For example, a child with bruising in the shape of adult handprints, or an adult who displays an inappropriate interest in a child, will automatically spark concern. In the same way, a disclosure of abuse should always be treated seriously and acted upon immediately as per your safeguarding policy.

Unfortunately, the majority of these signs are not always clear to see. This is why thousands of child abuse cases go unreported every year in the UK. Sometimes, even our natural instinct isn’t enough to make us act upon a concern, but many victims will suffer a lifetime of consequences as a result of unreported child abuse.