Recognizing and preventing child abuse



Child abuse is something we don’t talk much about, but we need to talk about in order to stop it.

Holly Menino sits down with Dr. Corey Rood, a child abuse pediatrician at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Primary Children’s Hospital, on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast. Together they discuss how to recognize child abuse and what to do if you suspect it.

 1 in 5 kids will be sexually abused nation wide before they turn 18. Last year, there were 10,600 substantiated victims of child abuse in Utah.

In 2017, 1,720 kids died nationwide due to child abuse. The number of children who die of child abuse is about the same number of kids who die of cancer in a year. Cancer isn’t fully curable or preventable yet, but child abuse is.

  •  If you see something, say something! Utah adults by law are obligated to report suspected child abuse.
  •  Abuse is any action that causes or threatens harm. 
    Forms of abuse can include:
  1. Physical
  2.  Neglect
  3.  Emotional
  4.  Sexual
  • If you see or suspect child abuse: Report it. It’s your responsibility. To report child abuse:
  1. Call the Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
  2. Call Law Enforcement
  •  Reporting is anonymous and safe. You don’t have to confront someone you suspect is harming a child.

    For more information on preventing and reporting child abuse, click here.

    The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.