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NEGLECT
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  • Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Each State has a system to receive and respond to reports of possible child abuse and neglect. Professionals and concerned citizens can call statewide hotlines, local child protective services, or law enforcement agencies to share their concerns. In this section, find information on how to report child abuse and neglect and mandated reporting requirements.

  • How to report child abuse and neglect
  • Mandated reporting

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Childhelp
Provides information on the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (Call or text 1.800.4.A.CHILD [1.800.422.4453]). Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources.

CyberTipline
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Provides information about how to report online sexual exploitation of a child or if you suspect that a child has been inappropriately contacted online. Information will be made available to law enforcement to investigate.

How You Can Help Someone Who Is Being Abused or Neglected

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 4,917KB)
Order (Free)
Disponibilidad
Ver
Versión para imprimir (PDF - 5,528KB)
Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published
2018
Provides children and youth ages 10 and older with information about what child abuse and neglect is and what to do if someone is not safe.

Immunity for Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 313KB)
Year Published
2019
Summarizes State laws on immunity from prosecution for persons who in good faith report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. Immunity statutes protect both mandatory and voluntary reporters from civil or criminal liability that they might otherwise incur. The publication also discusses the provision of immunity for taking photographs or x-rays, performing medical examinations or tests, and participating in the investigation or prosecution of child abuse or neglect cases. Laws for all 50 States and territories are included.

Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 370KB)
Year Published
2022
Discusses State laws and regulations that specify the procedures that State child protection agencies must follow when responding to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. The issues addressed include individual responsibility to report, content of reports, screening reports, investigation procedures, timeframes for completing investigations, and classification of investigative findings. Special procedures for handling child fatalities and substance-exposed children also are addressed.

State Child Abuse & Neglect Policies Database
Mathematica; Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation; Child Trends; & National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (2022)
Explores States’ child abuse and neglect definitions and policies used in the surveillance of child maltreatment, along with data on associated risk and protective factors.

State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway
Includes State toll-free numbers and websites for specific agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

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Related Content

Identification of Child Abuse & Neglect

State Laws on Reporting and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect

Children's Bureau - An office of the Administration for Children and Families

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