Sometimes we hesitate to report our concerns because it's not always possible to know if what you're seeing is part of a pattern of abuse or simply a momentary loss of temper in an otherwise caring and positive relationship. Many of us are afraid that if we report abuse and we're wrong, a child will be removed from a caring home. It's important to note that only in the minority of cases are children removed from parental custody, and even that only occurs after a thorough investigation - it doesn't happen after a single phone call.
There may seem to be a lot of gray areas, but one thing is clear: In private or in public, no one has the right to abuse a child. As members of a community, we all have the right and the responsibility to voice our concerns. Not doing so could mean the difference between life and death.
If you suspect that a child you know is in imminent danger, call 911 immediately. If you have read the signs of child abuse and you believe that a child you know is being abused, you should call the appropriate reporting agency in your state. Most states have statewide hotlines, though some have a hotline for each county or region. Consult the list below to find the right number for your area.
ALABAMA - (334) 242-9500 |
ALASKA - (800) 478-4444 |
ARIZONA - (888) 767-2445 |
ARKANSAS - (800) 482-5964 |
CALIFORNIA - Click here for a list of all 58 County Child Welfare Service Agencies |
COLORADO - Click here for a list of all Department of Human Services locations |
CONNECTICUT - (800) 842-2288 |
DELAWARE - (800) 292-9582 |
FLORIDA - (800) 962-2873 |
GEORGIA - (404) 699-4399 |
HAWAII - (808) 832-5300 |
IDAHO - Click here for a list of all Child Protective Services agencies |
ILLINOIS - (800) 252-2873 |
INDIANA - (800) 800-5556 |
IOWA - (800) 362-2178 |
KANSAS - If calling within Kansas but outside of Topeka: 800-922-5330; If calling in Topeka or outside of Kansas: (785) 296-0044 |
KENTUCKY - (800) 752-6200 |
LOUISIANA - Click here for a list of child protection hotlines by parish |
MAINE - (800) 452-1999 |
MARYLAND - Click here for a list of Child Protective Services offices |
MASSACHUSETTS - (800) 792-5200 |
MICHIGAN - (800) 942-4357 |
MINNESOTA - Click here for a list of Social Service Agencies by county |
MISSISSIPPI - (800) 222-8000 |
MISSOURI - (800) 392-3738 |
MONTANA - (800) 332-6100 |
NEBRASKA - (800) 652-1999 |
NEVADA - (800) 992-5757 |
NEW HAMPSHIRE - (800) 894-5533, or 911 after hours/on weekends |
NEW JERSEY - (800) 792-8610 |
NEW MEXICO - (800) 432-2075 |
NEW YORK - (800) 342-3720 |
NORTH CAROLINA - Click here for a list of Social Services Departments by county |
NORTH DAKOTA - Click here for a list of Social Service Offices by county |
OHIO - Click here for a list of Family Service Agencies by county |
OKLAHOMA - (800) 522-3511 |
OREGON - Click here for a list of Child Welfare Offices by county |
PENNSYLVANIA - (800) 932-0313 |
RHODE ISLAND - (800) 742-4453 |
SOUTH CAROLINA - Click here for a list of Social Services offices |
SOUTH DAKOTA - Click here for a list of Child Protective Services offices by county |
TENNESSEE - (800) 237-0004 |
TEXAS - (800) 252-5400 |
UTAH - (800) 678-9399 |
VERMONT - Click here for a list of Family Services district offices |
VIRGINIA - (800) 552-7096 |
WASHINGTON - (800) 562-5264 |
WEST VIRGINIA - (800) 352-6513 |
WISCONSIN - Click here for a list of Social/Human Services offices by county |
WYOMING - Click here for a list of Family Services field offices |
Most of us are hesitant to take action when we see a parent or caregiver disciplining a child in a manner that makes us particularly uncomfortable. We tell ourselves, "It's none of my business," or "It's not my place."
