Ask the Expert

Q: At the playground I saw a woman hit her small child. It was more than just a smack. What should I have done?

A: Be careful. In a volatile situation like this, it's usually not a good idea to confront the person. Someone that angry will probably not respond well, and you may even put yourself in danger. Instead, notify the authorities wherever you are or call 911. You want to get help for the child without escalating a bad situation so leave it to the authorities to speak with the parent or guardian.

Nancy McBride is the National Safety Director for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). She is a frequent lecturer on issues of child safety and exploitation and is often a guest on television and radio programs dealing with child safety.