Practical guidance, warning signs, and vetted resources to help parents, schools, and communities prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.

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Toolkit for Parents & Caregivers

‍The Problem of Child Sexual Abuse

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

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→ If You Suspect Abuse

  • What to Do & What to Expect

  • The Reporting Process

  • What to Expect from Safety Agencies

  • Supporting a Child After an Incident

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‍The Problem of Child Sexual Abuse

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If You Suspect Abuse

What to Do & What to Expect

Learning that a child may have experienced sexual abuse can be overwhelming and emotional. The most important thing to know is that you do not need to have proof before taking action. If something feels wrong, trust that instinct. Trained professionals are responsible for assessing the situation and determining next steps — your job is to make sure the child is safe and to connect with the right people.

The sections below will walk you through what to do if you have concerns, how to respond if a child discloses abuse, how to navigate the reporting process, and what to expect from the systems designed to help.

How to Respond to an Abuse Disclosure

If a child tells you about abuse, how you respond in that moment can have a lasting impact on their healing and willingness to seek further support.

A few things to keep in mind after a disclosure:

  • Stay calm. Children often delay or stop disclosing if they sense the adult is overwhelmed or upset.

  • Believe them. Tell your child you are glad they told you and that what happened is not their fault.

  • Do not investigate. Avoid asking detailed questions about what happened — this is the role of trained forensic interviewers. Asking leading questions can unintentionally affect a child's account.

  • Do not promise confidentiality. Be honest that you will need to tell someone who can help.

  • Connect them with support. Contact your school counselor, your local Children's Justice Center, or DCFS to get guidance on next steps.

Important Information

If a child tells you about abuse, how you respond in that moment can have a lasting impact on their healing and willingness to seek further support.

The Reporting Process

Reporting suspected child sexual abuse is one of the most important steps you can take to protect a child. Many adults hesitate to report because they are unsure whether their concerns are serious enough or they do not fully understand the process. You do not need proof of abuse to make a report. If you have reasonable suspicion that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, it is appropriate to contact the proper authorities. Trained professionals are responsible for assessing the situation and determining next steps.

The resources below explain who is required to report suspected abuse, how and where to make a report, what happens after a report is made, and why reporting plays a critical role in prevention and child safety. Understanding these processes can help caregivers, educators, and community members feel more confident taking action when concerns arise.

Who should report?

In Utah, almost all adults are mandatory reporters of child abuse. You are legally required to report suspected abuse — you do not need permission from an administrator or supervisor before making a report, and you are protected from liability for reports made in good faith.

How and where to report?

Reports can be made to law enforcement or directly to DCFS. If you are unsure where to start, the DCFS hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are uncertain about whether to report, you can chat with a licensed counselor through the SafeUT app to talk through your concerns before taking action. You can also call or visit your local Children’s Justice Center to share your concerns.

If you are concerned that the suspected abuser still has access to the child, please call rather than report online. Phone reports to the DCFS hotline at 1-855-323-3237 receive a faster response and allow staff to ask follow-up questions right away.

Why reporting matters

Every report gives a trained professional the opportunity to assess whether a child is safe. Even if an investigation does not result in a finding, reporting creates a record that may be important if concerns arise again in the future. 

Important Information

What to Expect from Safety Agencies

Learning that a child may have been abused and navigating what comes next can feel overwhelming. In Utah, several agencies are designed to help — and they work together so families do not have to figure it out alone. This section explains what each agency does, what families can expect, and how to stay informed throughout the process.

Utah Children’s Justice Center (CJC)

When a disclosure or suspicion of abuse occurs, navigating the legal and investigative process can feel overwhelming for parents and caregivers. The Children's Justice Center (CJC) is a free, specialized public program located throughout Utah that is designed to support families through exactly this process. The primary goal of the CJC is to reduce trauma for the child during the abuse investigation, helping the child feel secure enough to share their experience so that healing can begin as soon as possible.

CJCs bring together law enforcement, DCFS, prosecutors, and mental health professionals in one coordinated setting so families do not have to navigate multiple agencies alone. Services are free to all families.

Utah Division of Child & Family Services

The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is a part of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and plays a central role in responding to reports of child sexual abuse. Every report received by DCFS is assessed and a caseworker is assigned to coordinate with law enforcement. In cases involving sexual abuse, DCFS and law enforcement often work closely together through Children's Justice Centers to conduct coordinated forensic interviews, reducing the number of times a child must recount their experience.

It is important to know that DCFS and law enforcement reach separate conclusions. A DCFS substantiated finding does not automatically result in criminal charges, and the absence of criminal charges does not mean DCFS will not take action to protect the child.

DCFS remains the primary point of contact for families throughout the investigation and can connect families with support services while the process unfolds. Throughout the process, it is normal for investigations to take time. Stay in contact with your assigned caseworker and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Navigating Law Enforcement

When a report of child sexual abuse is made, law enforcement and DCFS respond in parallel. Understanding how these two systems work together can help families know what to expect.

Under Utah law, any person who suspects child abuse must report it to a peace officer, law enforcement agency, or DCFS. If a report is made to DCFS, they are required to immediately notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency. If a report is made directly to law enforcement, they must notify DCFS. This cross-notification requirement ensures that both systems are aware of every report.

Two Parallel Investigations

Both DCFS and law enforcement have the authority to investigate cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. They do this concurrently, but with different purposes.

DCFS focuses on child and family safety. Their goal is to assess risk, stabilize the family, and determine what services or interventions are needed. Their findings are used in civil child welfare proceedings.

Law enforcement focuses on whether a crime has been committed. Officers gather evidence, conduct recorded interviews, and build a case for prosecutors to review. Utah law imposes serious criminal penalties for child sexual abuse, including felony charges for sexual abuse, with enhanced penalties when the child is very young or vulnerable. Only law enforcement and prosecutors, not DCFS, can pursue criminal charges.

What Families Can Expect

Investigations take time. Both DCFS and law enforcement may need to interview the child, review medical records, and gather other evidence before conclusions are reached. Families often find this process difficult and uncertain.

Many parents and relatives of child abuse victims want the child interviewed right away. This is not always the best approach unless the child's safety is in immediate danger. Forensic interviews conducted through the Children's Justice Center are designed to gather the child's account once, in a trauma-informed setting, reducing the number of times a child must recount their experience.

If you have concerns about how an investigation is proceeding, you have the right to ask questions. Contact your DCFS caseworker for updates on the child welfare side of the case. If criminal charges are being considered, a victim advocate can help you understand the process and your rights.

If a child is in immediate danger at any time, call 911.

Supporting a Child After an Incident

The period following a disclosure or incident of child sexual abuse can be challenging for both children and caregivers. Children heal best when they feel believed, supported, and connected to caring adults. Professional support is an important part of that process and you do not need to navigate this alone.

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