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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. If you have reason to believe a child is or has been the victim of abuse or neglect, you are legally required to report it. You do not need permission from an administrator, supervisor, or anyone else before making a report, and individuals who report in good faith are protected from liability.

There are limited exceptions to Utah's mandatory reporting requirement, including certain confidential clergy confessions. The clergy exception is narrow: it applies when a perpetrator confesses directly to a clergy member and the clergy member is required by church doctrine or practice to keep that confession confidential. Clergy who learn about abuse from another source are still required to report it. See Utah Code § 80-2-602.

Important Information

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 (1-855-323-3237) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Important Reporting Information

  • You do not need proof or all of the details before making a report. Report what you know, observed, or reasonably suspect.

  • At minimum, DCFS needs enough information to indicate abuse or neglect and identify and locate the child. Other helpful information includes, when the alleged abuse occurred (if known), information about the suspected perpetrator, and whether that person currently has access to the child.

  • You are not responsible for determining whether abuse occurred or for investigating the allegation, that is the role of DCFS and law enforcement. If a child discloses abuse, avoid detailed or leading questions that could interfere with a later forensic interview.

  • Past abuse should still be reported. A report can be made even when the abuse occurred months or years ago. Do not assume that it is “too late” to report because the abuse is no longer occurring or the suspected perpetrator no longer has access to the child. Share what you know and allow the appropriate agency to determine what response is needed.

  • Call the DCFS hotline (1-855-323-3237) rather than reporting online when an urgent response may be needed. This includes suspected sexual abuse or serious physical abuse when the alleged perpetrator currently has access to the child, or suspected sexual abuse within the past 72 hours. Phone reports allow an intake worker to ask follow-up questions immediately. If a child is in immediate danger or there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

  • Reporting matters even if an investigation is not opened. 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. A report not being accepted for investigation does not mean the reporter was wrong to report.

Will I find out what happens after I make a report?

In most cases, reporters will receive limited information about what happens after a report is made. DCFS or law enforcement generally cannot share details about an investigation, findings, services provided to a family, removal or placement decisions, or potential legal charges because of privacy and legal requirements.

If you have ongoing contact with the child or family, you may become aware of some actions or outcomes through that relationship, but you should not expect DCFS or law enforcement to provide you with updates about the case.

Not hearing anything after making a report does not mean that no action was taken. Your role is to report what you know or reasonably suspect. DCFS and law enforcement are responsible for determining what investigation, safety response, services, or legal action may be appropriate.

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.

The Children’s Justice Center facilitates a joint response to investigations with DCFS and Law Enforcement. Either agency may request that a child be interviewed and receive services at a CJC. Children benefit from coordinated services throughout the investigative process, which can include an interview, medical exam, victim advocacy, and more.

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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