Protecting children by healing adults
That is the whole mission in five words.
Children are kept safe by the adults around them. When those adults know the warning signs, know who to call, and have done some of their own healing, children are safer. When adults carry old hurt that was never tended to, it can spill onto the next generation without anyone meaning it to.
The CDC says that child abuse and neglect can be prevented, and that safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments help prevent adverse childhood experiences. Guardian exists to help more adults offer that kind of safety.
Who this is for
- Parents and caregivers who want to know what to watch for and what to do.
- Teachers, coaches, and youth workers who see children every day and want clear, plain guidance.
- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and friends. Any caring adult can make a report or be the safe person a child turns to.
- Grown-ups who were hurt as children and want to understand what happened, find support, and raise children differently.
Everything here is free
Every child-related resource on Guardian is free. No account, no sign-up, no payment, no catch. The hotlines listed here are also free to contact.
Start here
- Get Help Now: who to call or text, right now, in the United States.
- Warning Signs: signs of abuse, neglect, and grooming, and what to do if a child tells you something.
- Online Safety: practical steps for families with phones, games, and apps.
- Breaking the Cycle: for adults who were hurt as children.
If a child is in danger right now
Call 911.
To talk with a trained counselor about suspected child abuse, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. It is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or is in emotional crisis, call or text 988.
What Guardian is and is not
Guardian is an information resource. It is not a hotline, a law enforcement agency, a child protective services agency, or a medical or counseling service. It does not replace professional, medical, or legal help. Guardian cannot take reports of abuse. If you are worried about a child, please contact one of the services on the Get Help Now page.
Every fact on this site comes from a public source, listed at the bottom of each page.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "About Child Abuse and Neglect," https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/about/index.html (last reviewed May 16, 2024). Checked October 2026.
- CDC, "About Adverse Childhood Experiences," https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html (last reviewed March 2, 2026). Checked October 2026.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, https://www.childhelphotline.org/. Checked October 2026.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/. Checked October 2026.