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Frequently Asked Questions: Responding to Child Abuse & Neglect

• Questions and answers
• General resources
• Frequently requested information

Questions and answers

• What are the signs or symptoms of child abuse and neglect?
  
  
• What can I do if I suspect child abuse or neglect? How do I report child abuse or neglect?
  
  
• Can I make an anonymous report of abuse?
  
  
• How many children are abused and neglected each year?
  
  
• I believe child protective services has mishandled an investigation of abuse/neglect. What can I do?

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General resources

• How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment
  Also available in Spanish: Como puede reporter el maltrato de menores
  
  
• How Does the Child Welfare System Work?
  Also available in Spanish: ¿Cómo funciona el sistema de bienstar de menores?
  
  
• A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice
  (PDF - 4110 KB)
  
  
• Child Maltreatment 2007
  (PDF - 4908 KB)
  
  

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Frequently requested information

• Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms
  Common signs that abuse or neglect may be occurring.
  
  Also available in Spanish: Cómo reconocer el maltrato de menores: Los síntomas y los indicios
  
  
• Leaving Your Child Home Alone
  Addresses what to consider before leaving your child home alone, including tips and resources for parents. (PDF - 283 KB)
  
  
• A Family's Guide to the Child Welfare System (PDF - 699 KB)
  Addresses many of the questions that families face when they become involved with the child welfare system.
  
  Also available in Spanish: Guía para la familia sobre el sistema de bienestar infantil (PDF - 889 KB)
  
  
• Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers
  Describes the roles and responsibilities of caseworkers and key decisions and issues at each stage of the child protective process. (PDF - 447 KB)
  
  
• Supervising Child Protective Services Caseworkers
  Describes the roles and responsibilities of child protective services supervisors and provides advice on how to be effective. (PDF - 4001 KB)
  
  
• Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions
  Prevalence and characteristics of child abuse-related deaths. (PDF - 293 KB)
  
  
• State Laws on Reporting and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
  Summaries of State laws on mandatory reporting, immunity for reporters, and related issues.
  
  
• State Laws on Maintaining Child Abuse and Neglect Records
  Summaries of State laws on central registries, disclosure of records, and related issues.

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Updated on July 21, 2009