TV Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos writes our guest post this week. She talks to Netmums about why she is supporting the NSPCC’s “Don’t wait until you’re certain” campaign.

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If you are worried that a child is being abused or neglected it can be really hard to know what to do or how to help. This is particularly true when you aren’t certain if you’re right – and this is so often the case as it is frequently the little things that children do or say that cause concern.
It is perhaps unsurprising then that in a recent NSPCC/YouGov poll, the main reason people gave for being reluctant to report concerns about child sexual abuse was the fear of getting it wrong.  This fear is understandable, no one wants to make a mistake that would harm a child or family, however these fears can be problematic if they become a barrier to helping a vulnerable child who in most cases can’t or won’t come out and ask for help directly.
The sad truth is you are unlikely to know for sure if a child is being abused or neglected – often this is hidden so well that the small signs are the only signs.  And the longer people wait to do something about their worries, the longer a child may be left in an abusive situation.
The NSPCC’s “Don’t wait until you’re certain” campaign highlights the importance of reporting your concerns as soon as possible after they arise. To a child being abused, every day can seem like a lifetime. And the longer the abuse continues, the harder it can be for that child to recover even after the abuse stops. Time really is of the essence for these children.

Of course it is understandably difficult to report concerns when you are not sure you are right. People may also be reluctant to directly report the abuse – perhaps because the suspected perpetrator is a friend or family member, or perhaps for fear of how the person will react.
This is why the NSPCC’s helpline service is so valuable. Their trained counsellors are available 24/7 and can talk through your worries with you and help you decide if you are right to be concerned. If there is a reason to worry then they can take this forward and refer the case onto social services or the police. If you do not want to be involved any further you do not have to be – you can report the case to the NSPCC without saying who you are. Once you have done this, the NSPCC will take responsibility from you and you will know that you have done your best for that child.
In the words of Monica* who rang the NSPCC when her daughter’s friend confided that her violent father had sexually abused her 13 year old sister “I wouldn’t hesitate to call the NSPCC again if I was worried about a child, even if I wasn’t sure. You have to trust your instincts if something feels wrong. We’ve got an obligation to listen to children.”

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For more information on the NSPCC’s helpline and “Don’t wait until you’re certain” campaign go to www.nspcc.org.uk/dontwait
You can contact the NSPCC by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing help@nspcc.org.uk, texting 88858 or using an online reporting form.

The Netmums advice and support boards in our coffeehouse are available 24/7 to chat to other parents and experts if you need any kind of help.