You can ask the helper anything about a situation you have been confronted with or are currently dealing with.  Here are a few examples of questions you can ask, along with several follow up questions:

A child comes to school with no jacket, and it's cold outside. Do I need to report?

• What will happen to me if I don’t report?

• Can the school counselor report for me?

• What if I get the family in trouble and they didn’t do anything wrong?

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A child has a bruise on their arm and says they fell off their bike. Should I report this?

• How do I know if the bruise is from abuse or an accident?

• Can I just document it and wait to see if it happens again?

• What happens after I make a report?

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A student told me their uncle touches them in a way that makes them uncomfortable. What do I do?

• Should I ask the child for more details before reporting?

• Do I need proof before I make a report?

• Will the child be taken away from their home?

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A colleague told me they suspect a student is being abused but don’t want to report. What should I do?

• Am I responsible for reporting if I didn’t witness anything myself?

• Can we report together, or does each person have to do it individually?

• What if I report and it turns out to be nothing—can I get in trouble?

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A student in my class has been acting withdrawn and is suddenly failing. Could this be a sign of abuse?

• What are other behavioral signs of abuse or neglect?

• Should I ask the student if something is wrong before reporting?

• Can I wait to see if their behavior improves before making a report?