Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Locations >
  • Hospitals >
  • ... >
  • UPMC Hamot >
  • Our Services >
  • Behavioral Health Services >
  • Services >
  • Crisis Services >
  • SAFELine >
  • For Parents >
  • Child Abuse
UPMC Hamot
About Us
Our Services
Audiology
Bariatric Services
Behavioral Health Services
About Us
Services
Crisis Services
Crisis Center
Crisis Residential Unit
SAFELine
Bullying
Dating Violence
Drugs and Alcohol
Teen Pregnancy
Self Injury
For Parents
Bullying
Child Abuse
Mental Health
SAFE Technology
Substance Abuse
Teen Pregnancy
Youth Suicide
Schools
Additional Resources
WarmLine
Crisis Services Acute Need and Diversion Services
Critical Incident Stress Management Team
Disaster Crisis Outreach Referral Team
Addiction Medicine Services
Blended Case Management
Training Resources
Certified Peer Specialist
Psychiatry
Therapy
Early Onset Recovery Program
Internships
Locations
Contact Us
Breast Health
Cancer
Center for Healthy Living
Corporate Health
Critical & Intensive Care
Diabetes Education
Digestive Health
Emergency Department
Endocrinology
Esophageal and Lung Surgery
General Surgery
Health Screenings
UPMC Home Healthcare
Home Medical Supplies
Hospice
Hospitalist
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Interventional Radiology
Kidney Transplant
Liver Disease
Neurosciences
Palliative Care
Pediatrics
Physical Therapy
Plastic Surgery
Pulmonology
Robotic Surgery
Sleep Disorders Center
Speech Pathology
Surgery Center
Trauma
Urology
Wound Care
Patients & Visitors
Careers & Training
Locations, Directions, & Parking
Contact Us
UPMC Hamot
About Us
Our Services
Audiology
Bariatric Services
Behavioral Health Services
About Us
Services
Crisis Services
Crisis Center
Crisis Residential Unit
SAFELine
Bullying
Dating Violence
Drugs and Alcohol
Teen Pregnancy
Self Injury
For Parents
Bullying
Child Abuse
Mental Health
SAFE Technology
Substance Abuse
Teen Pregnancy
Youth Suicide
Schools
Additional Resources
WarmLine
Crisis Services Acute Need and Diversion Services
Critical Incident Stress Management Team
Disaster Crisis Outreach Referral Team
Addiction Medicine Services
Blended Case Management
Training Resources
Certified Peer Specialist
Psychiatry
Therapy
Early Onset Recovery Program
Internships
Locations
Contact Us
Breast Health
Cancer
Center for Healthy Living
Corporate Health
Critical & Intensive Care
Diabetes Education
Digestive Health
Emergency Department
Endocrinology
Esophageal and Lung Surgery
General Surgery
Health Screenings
UPMC Home Healthcare
Home Medical Supplies
Hospice
Hospitalist
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Interventional Radiology
Kidney Transplant
Liver Disease
Neurosciences
Palliative Care
Pediatrics
Physical Therapy
Plastic Surgery
Pulmonology
Robotic Surgery
Sleep Disorders Center
Speech Pathology
Surgery Center
Trauma
Urology
Wound Care
Patients & Visitors
Careers & Training
Locations, Directions, & Parking
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Child Abuse and Neglect

If you suspect a child is being abused, it’s critical to get them the help he or she needs immediately. Call SAFELine at 814-456-7233.

Facts About Child Abuse

  • More than 80 percent of abusers are a parent or someone close to a child.
  • Child abuse is more likely to occur in the child's home than anywhere else.
  • Large families (four or more children) have higher rates of abuse and neglect, especially if their living conditions are crowded or if they live in isolated areas.
  • Most sexual abusers are someone a child knows — not a stranger. One in three girls and one in five boys are sexually assaulted by an adult at some time during childhood.
  • Abuse doesn't just mean physical abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging. Since these forms of abuse are subtler, others may be less likely to notice or intervene.
  • Abuse doesn't just happen in "bad families" and isn’t limited to “bad” neighborhoods. It crosses all racial, economic, and cultural boundaries.
  • Not all abusers are intentionally harming their children. Many have been victims of abuse themselves, and don't know any other way to parent. Others may be struggling with mental health issues or a substance abuse problem.

Possible Signs of Child Abuse

If you have concerns about a child's well-being, use the indicators listed below to assess the situation. However, please remember that many of these signs could be caused by factors other than abuse or neglect.

Emotional abuse

  • Apathy (the child just doesn't care)
  • Depression
  • The child won't play or participate in school activities
  • The child exhibits aggressive behavior
  • The child’s appetite either increases or decreases

Neglect

  • Being hungry much of the time
  • Wandering outdoors unsupervised
  • Being unsuitably dressed for the weather
  • Wearing the same soiled clothes or dirty clothing
  • Showing up early or staying late at school

Physical abuse

  • Bruises or welts shaped like an object (like a belt buckle or an electric cord)
  • Bruises in unusual places (back, eyes, mouth, buttocks, genital areas, thighs, calves)
  • Layers of different colored bruises in the same general area
  • Small round burns from cigarettes
  • Burns in the shape of an object (iron, fireplace tool, heater)
  • Rope burns on ankles, wrists, or torso
  • Adult-sized bite marks

Sexual abuse

  • Withdrawal or anti-social behavior
  • Refusal to undress for physical education or sports
  • Exaggerated interest in sex or "acting out" sex with other children
  • Unusually seductive behavior
  • Fear of intimate contact (hugging or sports)
  • Torn, stained, or bloodied clothing

Helping an Abused or Neglected Child

It can be very stressful to decide what to do if you feel a child is being abused. However, you can make a huge difference in the life of an abused child, especially if you act early.

Tips for Talking to an Abused Child

  • Avoid denial and remain calm. If a child comes to you and tells you about abuse, avoid showing any shock or disgust at what they are saying. This may scare them into shutting down and not talking.
  • Don't interrogate. Allow the child to explain the whole situation without asking questions or leading them. Let them get the whole story out before you interrupt.
  • Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong. It takes a brave child to come forward about abuse. Respect their bravery and reassure them that it's not their fault.
  • Safety comes first. If you feel that your safety or the safety of the child would be threatened if you try to intervene, leave it to a professional group such as SAFELine. Have a professional with you when the subject is approached to the alleged abuser.

Report Child Abuse and Neglect

Reporting child abuse can save lives. However, many people may be uncomfortable reporting child abuse for the following reasons:

I don't want to interfere.

The effects of child abuse are lifelong and will affect any future relationships and self-esteem. Also, the child may be more at risk of becoming an abuser as the cycle continues. Reporting child abuse can help break the cycle.

What if I break up someone's home?

Reporting child abuse does not mean a child is automatically removed from the house, unless the child is clearly in danger. Support services such as parenting classes, anger management, or other resources may be offered to parents first if the child is safe.

I don't want them to know it was me that called.

Reporting is anonymous. The child abuser cannot find out who made the report of child abuse. The only concern should be helping the child.

It may be nothing.

If you really feel that something is wrong, it's better to be safe than sorry. You might not have all the facts or know the whole situation, but if you really fear for a child’s safety, speak up.

Recognizing Abusive Behavior in Yourself

Do you recognize abusive behavior in yourself? Do you feel angry and frustrated and don't know where to turn? Call 814-456-7233 to find support and resources in your community that can help you break the cycle of abuse.

How can you tell if you need help?

  • The anger won't stop. A simple swat on the backside turns into multiple hits that get harder and harder. Or you find yourself screaming louder and louder and can't stop.
  • You are emotionally disconnected from your child. Raising a child can be overwhelming, and maybe you are finding that you don't want anything to do with your child. Day after day, you just want to be left alone and for your child to be quiet.
  • The daily needs of your child seem overwhelming. Everyone struggles with balancing dressing, feeding, and getting kids to school or other activities, but if you continually can't manage to do it, it's a sign that something might be wrong.
  • Other people have expressed concern. Are the words coming from someone you normally respect and trust? Denial is not an uncommon reaction, but it may be the wake-up call you need to change your actions.
UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login