Pat's Answer

I witnessed a child being abused

Your Question

What should I do when I witness a stranger child being verbally abused by a parent in the street?

Answer

Hello, welcome to Ask Pat. 

Thank you for your question. 

You’re asking what you should do, when you witness a child being verbally abused by a parent on the street. 

We are sorry that you witnessed this, we know that it is not a nice thing to see or hear. We are wondering have you spoke to anyone about this, like your parents or another adult? Talking about your worries with someone we trust can often help us through bad experiences. 

If you feel a child is at risk of being in danger and continuing to be abused, you do have the right to report it. By reporting it, you’re taking the first step to help keep that child safe and getting the support they need. Every child and young person deserves to be safe at all times. You have the right to talk to the Gardai or call the emergency services at 999 or 112. 

Túlsa is the Child and Family Agency in Ireland. The social workers within Túlsa are there for young people under the age of 18 years, and their job is to make sure that children and young people are safe at home. You can find your local Túlsa office here www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices/ if you would like to get in touch with them or get some more information. You may need the support of an adult to help you with this.  The ISPCC Childline website also has some information and articles that you may find helpful: www.childline.ie/bullying-abuse-safety-and-your-rights/.  

The Childline Team are here for you, and we would love to chat to you more about what you witnessed and your feelings around it. You can reach out to talk or chat to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our services are free and confidential. You can talk to us by phone 1800 66 66 66, chat to us one-to-one on our webchat on www.childline.ie  or by text at 50101. We will not judge anything you say to us or tell you what to do. We will look at what options may be available to you, with you.   

We hope to hear from you soon. Take care,  

Pat 

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