PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

HOW TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE

Who should I report to?
Call your social service agency. Call your local police department.

What do I report?
Name of child, age, date of birth Name and address of parent/parents Name of alleged perpetrator Where alleged abuse occurred Description of abuse and injuries Dates/time frame abuse occurred Name, address and phone number of mandatory report (required if you're a mandatory reporter, not required if you wish to remain anonymous)

It's a good idea to: keep a journal
documenting each incident of abuse witnessed or determined by symptoms with all the information listed above. , Also, include information about when j reports are made, to whom, date and time the reports where made.

If reports are made in "good faith": Reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability

What happens after you report.
Law enforcement investigates suspected abuse. Social services assess the risk to the child and oversee placement if necessary

Most states define mandatory reporters as a parent, guardian, custodian, foster parent or any person ten years of age or older who is entrusted with a child's care by parent, guardian, custodian, or foster parent including but not limited to an agent or employee of public or private residential home, child care facility, public or private school or any person legally responsible for a child's welfare.

Non-Mandatory Reporters: Each of us has the responsibility to care for our own children adequately, but we should also be aware of other children whom we come into contact with. And, if we suspect that abuse is occurring, we must do whatever is necessary in "good faith" to protect that child.

For answers to other questions and additional information on your state's child abuse reporting statute, call your state's department of Health and Human Services

• My local numbers for reporting abuse are:
• Social Services Department:
• Police Department: