Permanent separation is a last resort. You have a moral, and in some cases, a legal responsibility to see that child abuse is reported to the people who can help. By law, you cannot be prosecuted for doing so in good faith. Often an abusive parent needs someone to talk to for advice and support. People who must report child abuse, often referred to as Mandated Reporters, vary from state to state - usually they include physicians, dentists, police, school counselors, teachers, nurses, etc.
All children have the right to grow up in a safe environment.
Child abuse, in all its forms, has a more lasting and negative effect on children, families and the whole community than most people realize. At its worst, its destructive impact haunts its victim throughout life and prevents the child from becoming a productive adult. Frequently, parents who were mistreated as children will mistreat their own children. The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect reports that more than 2,000 children die each year due to abuse or neglect. Reporting child abuse is a first step in stopping this devastating cycle.