Children Attacked: What to do now and how to keep kids safe

Hearing that a child has been attacked is terrifying. You want clear steps you can follow right away, not confusing advice. This page puts practical actions first: how to keep the child safe, get medical and legal help, preserve evidence, and prevent future harm.

Immediate steps after an attack

First, move the child to a safe place away from the attacker. Check for injuries: if there is heavy bleeding, breathing trouble, deep wounds, or loss of consciousness, get emergency medical help immediately. If you can’t get to a hospital, call local emergency services or a clinic. Keep the child warm, calm, and reassured while help is on the way.

Don’t wash the child or destroy clothing if a sexual assault is suspected—these can be vital pieces of evidence. Instead, place items in a paper bag and save them. Take photographs of visible injuries when possible and note the time, place, and any witnesses. If the child can speak, write down their account in their exact words; don’t press for details.

Report, document, and get support

Report the incident to the police as soon as it is safe to do so. Ask for a crime report number and keep a copy. If your country has child protection services or a social welfare office, contact them right away for follow-up and protection planning. You can also reach out to NGOs active in your area—organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children, or local child-rights groups often provide medical, legal, and counselling support.

Get medical care even if injuries seem minor. A health check can find hidden harm and start any necessary treatment. Ask for a forensic exam if one is advised; this preserves evidence for any legal case. Mental health matters too. Children who experience violence often need counselling to process trauma; ask social services or NGOs for referrals to child-friendly therapists.

Keep careful records: dates, times, names, photos, hospital forms, police reports, and conversations. These documents help with investigations, school protection plans, or court actions.

At school or in the community, ask for a safety plan. This might include supervised routes to school, lockable doors, staff training, and clear reporting lines. If the attacker is known and remains a threat, insist on protective measures like restraining orders or temporary removal from shared spaces.

Prevention helps too. Teach children simple safety rules: trust their instincts, say no, run to safe adults, and tell you or another trusted adult if something makes them uncomfortable. Practice short safety drills so kids know what to do. For older children, discuss online safety—how to block, report, and not share personal information.

If you need help finding local services, start with your nearest hospital, police station, or social welfare office. Reach out to well-known NGOs for guidance if local services are slow. You don’t have to handle this alone—get professionals and community members involved to keep the child safe and supported.