If you are not sure how you can help a child who has been abused, get advice from a victim advocate or violence counselor. If you see signs that a child has been abused or neglected, report it to the police, sheriff, or a child protection agency. Children must rely on adults to take care of them, especially when their normal guardians do not. If you are not sure, report it anyway. If you are wrong, your good faith will protect you, and if you are correct, you may save a child.
Healing begins with relationships.
The adult helping relationship is the most powerful tool we have to help children heal from traumatic events. When children feel loved, they can cope better with stress. Every time we intervene in a child's life, we touch the future. Men who batter are often good fathers, and should have joint custody of their children. If you are in a position to teach children about safety, you may want to teach them about ways to be safer when violence starts.