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.

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.

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