How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect

Many people often have suspicions or even evidence that children they know are being abused or neglected but don't know how best to report the information. Here is a step-by-step guide to reporting a crime of abuse or neglect against a child.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find out what county the child lives in. It is the county that will take the call about the child abuse or neglect and take any further actions.

2. Find the number of the child abuse hotline for this specific county. You can find this by calling the police department, general county human services number, schools, or by googling for the information.

3. Gather as much information as you can before making the child abuse or neglect report. What is the child's name, address, school, and birth date? Were there marks on the child? Who has harmed the child and how? When you speak to the child abuse screeners, they will need as much information as possible to act on a claim. The screeners receive many calls a day and are not able to investigate every report. Being able to provide them with as many details as possible as to the child, the child's living situation, and what you believe has happened will greatly enhance the chances of your claim of abuse or neglect being investigated.

4. Call again. If you make a claim and know that it was never investigated by a county representative, do not be afraid to make another report of continued child abuse or neglect. Stay vigilant. Just because a claim was not investigated the first time you called does not mean you shouldn't call again if you see or suspect further abuse or neglect happening. If there are multiple calls about a specific child or home over time, the likelihood of an investigation of child abuse or neglect being launched is increased. Others beside yourself may be calling as well to help build the case for this specific child.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel that a child is in immediate threat of serious physical harm, call your local police to intercede rather than making a formal report through the county.