Spanking, sexual abuse or worse. Leaving your child with a stranger is scary.
Leaving your toddler, with their giant backpack filled with snacks and toys, at the day mother or crèche for the first time is terrifying. We hear first-hand accounts of kids being abused on a daily basis from parents who wish they'd known how to spot an abuser.
Deep down inside all parents have a touch of the mother lion that wants to protect her cubs. When you leave your child with a teacher and something goes wrong, that protective streak flares up.
A concerned mother asked our safety expert, Ally Cohen, 'How do I report a daycare center where the teachers hit the kids?'.
Ally's advice was to phone the Child Protection Unit (on 10111), Childline (on 0800 055555) or Crime Stop (on 08600 10111).
If you knew your child had been harmed in any way, what would be your first reaction?
By: Robyn Addinall