How to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

We are not a hotline for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, and we cannot accept reports.

Families of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds are more likely to be investigated by child protective services, and Black children are more likely to be placed in foster care due to reasons such as racial bias and systemic factors. 

To promote racial equity and increase awareness of alternative ways to help children and families, it’s important to connect families to resources so they can better support their children.  

211.org connects you to local resources for housing, mental health, food assistance, health care, and more. 988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?  

State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers
Lists contact information to report maltreatment to local agencies.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
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.

National Center for Missing & 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. The center will make the information available to law enforcement so they can investigate. 

Can’t find what you need in the filtered results? Try searching our Library catalog to access a large selection of peer-reviewed journal articles, evaluation reports, Children’s Bureau grant materials, research studies, and more.