If a child in your family is being abused, it’s up to you to act. Kids have almost no power over adults who are hurting them. But you do, and you can help.

Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or neglect. Not sure it’s abuse? See our For Children page for an easy-to-understand list of abusing behavior.

If you know that a child is being abused, your first responsibility is to report it. Here are the numbers to call:

In Monroe County: 461-5690

Outside of Monroe County, the NYS Child Abuse Hotline:
1-800-342-3720

If you suspect that a child is being abused, but you aren’t sure, then you should learn more—fast. You’ll find some more information that will help you know what to do next, including how to talk to the child.

Bivona Child Advocacy Center can help

When child abuse is reported, a number of professionals step in—from Child Protective Services to police officers to district attorneys to doctors to counselors to advocates. If you’re a family member trying to find your way through all of this, it can get complicated. And you’re already in a stressful situation.

At Bivona, we bring all of these professionals together under one roof. The Bivona Child Advocacy Center in a warm, welcoming, child-friendly place—not at all like a police station or emergency room. Here the professionals who can help your child come to you so that you don’t have to run around town to meet with them.

It makes the entire process easier and better for your child. It also makes it easier for our professionals to conduct a quality investigation. It’s about ending the hurt and the trauma so the healing can begin.

We will work with you and your child all the way through the trial. You do not have to do this alone.

How Bivona Works
Take a look at what it’s like to be helped at Bivona. 

And we support you and your family, too

We know how difficult it is when a child is sexually abused. Especially when the abuser or offender is someone in your own family. It can tear a family apart emotionally. It can disrupt the family finances. It can destroy marriages. It’s hard. That’s why, in addition to helping the child, Bivona brings together professionals from our partner agencies to provide counseling, therapy, and advocacy for the entire family.

For information on an upcoming support group for parenting a sexually abused child, click here.  The free 8 week program runs from September 28 - November 16 and is open to the community.

Prevent child abuse before it happens. It’s the best solution. Read more. 

Are you a family friend?

If you suspect abuse of a child you know, we encourage you to report it. It could make all the difference in the world. You will have to tell them who you are when you call, but that information is kept confidential and not shared with the suspected abuser. They won’t know that you’re the one who called.

You get the process started. That’s your responsibility.

Here’s a site that tells you more about the reporting process: