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How to Report Abuse

TEL : 1-800-962-2873 TTY : 711 or 1-800-955-8771

Press 1  to report suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child

Press 2  to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly or a vulnerable adult

Press 3  to verify the identity of a child protective investigator who recently visited you

Press 4  for information/referrals to other services in your local area.

Web reporting should not be used for situations requiring immediate attention. Please contact the Hotline’s toll free reporting number if you believe a child or vulnerable adult is at imminent risk of harm. Gather all of your information in advance and select one of the web reporting options.

Report Abuse Online

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To make a report, via fax, please send a detailed written report with your name and contact telephone or FAX contact information.

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Be prepared to provide specific descriptions of the incident(s) or the circumstances contributing to the risk of harm, including who was involved, what occurred, when and where it occurred, why it happened, the extent of any injuries sustained, what the victim(s) said happened, and any other pertinent information are very important.

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How to Make an Anonymous CPS Report Online & Over the Phone

Last Updated: January 6, 2024 Fact Checked

How to Anonymously Report to CPS

• State Phone Numbers & Websites

Other Important Hotlines

• Who Can Report

How to Recognize Child Abuse

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 396,599 times.

Any suspected child abuse or neglect is a serious issue, and it’s important to report it to Child Protective Services (CPS) as soon as possible. In the United States, CPS is managed on a state level, so it’s essential to contact your state’s CPS branch online or over the phone to make an anonymous report. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the reporting process, including useful phone numbers, websites, and hotlines. We’ll also cover the different types of child abuse and how to recognize them so you can be as informed as possible when making your report.

Things You Should Know

• Make an anonymous report online or over the phone using your state’s designated website and phone number.
• Provide as much detail as you can in your report, including the events or observations that caused you to suspect abuse.
• Call the Childhelp National Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 for additional advice on how to report child abuse.

• Check the State Phone Numbers & Websites for Reporting section below to find the best ways to report child abuse in your state.

• “Whenever I see Jake, an 8-year-old kid in my neighborhood, he’s always covered in bruises. I’m worried that his parents might be abusing him at home.”
• “Casey Perkins, a 12-year-old in my child’s class, frequently comes to school in dirty clothes, and she has an obvious body odor. My child also notices that she asks other students for part of their lunches—I’m concerned that she might be neglected at home.”
• “I volunteer at a summer camp, and I’m seriously concerned that Randall Ramirez, a 9-year-old kid there, might be getting sexually abused at home. They always seem to be in pain when they’re sitting down, and they tested positive for an STI at the infirmary.”

• Call the Childhelp Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 to learn if/how you can follow up on your case.

State Phone Numbers & Websites for Reporting

• * means that the website is meant for mandated reporters only
• ** means that the website may be unavailable

• Childhelp also offers text support at the same number and live chat support on their website.

• Keep in mind that CyberTipline is meant to report online child abuse, not adult abuse. If someone has posted inappropriate content of an adult online, visit the Stop Non-Consensual Image Abuse website or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center .

Who can make an anonymous CPS report?

• Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway's website for more information about mandatory reporters.

• The child is absent often.
• The child doesn’t dress appropriately for the weather.
• The child seems filthy and smells bad.
• The child requests food and/or steals money from others. [7] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U.S. Children's Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source

• A child with visible injuries (e.g., bruises, burns, bites, etc.).
• A child who’s visibly afraid of their parent or guardian.
• A child who’s fearful of adults.
• A child with disappearing injuries after being away from school. [9] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U.S. Children's Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source

• A child with polarizing types of behavior (e.g., being incredibly submissive then being incredibly aggressive).
• A child who’s behind their peers when it comes to emotional development and maturity.
• A child who acts extremely mature or extremely juvenile.
• A child who has tried to take their own life in the past. [11] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U.S. Children's Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source

• The child has trouble sitting down or walking around.
• The child mentions wetting the bed or having bad dreams.
• The child is uncomfortable switching clothes for gym class or doing physical things.
• The child gets pregnant or tests positive for an STI/STD. [13] X Trustworthy Source Child Welfare Information Gateway Online portal managed by the U.S. Children's Bureau providing resources related to childcare and abuse prevention Go to source

Expert Q&A

• Check out resources like ChildWelfare , HHS , MayoClinic , and KidsHealth to learn more about child abuse. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
• If you’re ever confused about any part of the child abuse reporting process, call or text the Childhelp Hotline at 1-800-422-4453, or visit their website to chat with a professional. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

• If you suspect that a child’s life is in danger because of their abuse, call 911 rather than your state’s abuse hotline. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
• ↑ https://www.childhelphotline.org/how-it-works/
• ↑ https://mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20370864
• ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/signs.pdf
• ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20370864
• ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/identifying/emotional-abuse/
• ↑ https://hside.org/child-abuse-signs-symptoms/#types

About This Article

To make an anonymous report to child protective services, start by collecting as much information as you can about the situation, such as the child’s name, their parent’s names, address, age, and a description of their abuse or neglect. Since there are many child protective services across the country, call ChildHelp on 1-800-422-4453, who will direct you to the relevant authority. Alternatively, search online for your state or region, followed by “Child abuse hotline” to find the right organization for your area. However, if you suspect that a child is in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call 911. For more tips from our Legal co-author, including how to report child abuse or neglect in writing, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Report child abuse

If you’re worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused contact the children’s social care team at their local council .

You’ll be asked for your details, but you can choose not to share them.

Call 999 if the child is at immediate risk.

If it’s not an emergency, you can report the crime online or call 101.

Calls to 999 or 101 are free.

What to report

Child abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. You can read more about the signs of child abuse .

You don’t need to be sure that a child or young person has been abused - it’s OK to report a suspicion.

What happens when you report it

The person who answers your call will decide what to do. For example, they might:

• gather more information
• ask a social worker to look into it
• contact the police, if they think the child is at immediate risk or a crime has been committed

The children’s social care team will tell you what happens next, but they will not be able to give you any confidential information.

Contact the NSPCC if you want to discuss your concerns and get advice.

NSPCC (for adults) Telephone: 0808 800 5000 Find out about call charges

ChildLine (for children and young people) Telephone: 0800 1111 (free)

The ChildLine number will not show up on your phone bill if you call from a landline or from most mobile networks.

Report child abuse in education

NSPCC (for children, young people and adults) Telephone: 0800 136 663 (free)

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What Might Happen After a Report Is Filed?

Usually the identity of the person who filed the report remains confidential. Typically CPS and/or police do not share information with anybody about the progress of an investigation – even with a protective parent. This can feel frustrating, especially if the process is moving slowly.

Reports are reviewed for investigation

Once a report of child abuse has been made, the protective authorities (either child protective services or the police), decide whether or not to follow up the report. When a report is “screened in,” it means that protective authorities will follow up with an investigation. When it is “screened out,” it means that the report will not be investigated.

Reports can be “screened out”

When a report is “screened out," no action is taken, or the report is transferred to a more appropriate agency. Usually, a report is “screened out” when:

• There’s not enough information on which to base an investigation
• CPS or police judge the information to be inaccurate or false
• The information in the report doesn’t meet definitions for child abuse or neglect used by the protective authorities

When reports are “screened in”

When the protective authorities decide that the report may indicate child abuse, they must investigate the suspected abuse within a time period specified by state law, typically within 24 or 48 hours or up to 5 days, depending on the state. Sometimes there is a “preliminary” investigation to gather more information to determine whether or not they will proceed with a full investigation. However, when it is judged that there is no immediate danger to a child, CPS is allowed more time before they begin an investigation.

Who participates in the investigation?

Investigations may be managed by child protective services, by the police, or by both. Where criminal acts may have taken place, only the police can make arrests. The team of professionals involved in investigations can include a protective services worker, a doctor, therapist, social worker and law enforcement officials. Interviews may be held with the child, a non-offending parent, and the person suspected of sexually abusing. Sometime interviews are also held with the child’s brothers and sisters, and anyone else who may have knowledge about possible danger to the child such as neighbors, teachers, child care providers, doctors and therapists. As part of the investigation, the child is sometimes given a physical exam for the purpose of collecting evidence or attending to medical needs. Legally admissible confessions or disclosures often must be made directly to an investigator or professional.

The child interview

Interviews of the child should be held in locations where children feel safe. Generally, a child is not interviewed in their home; however, they may be interviewed at their school or therapist’s office. If there is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in your community, you may be referred there for interviews and/or medical exams. CAC’s are centers especially designed to provide a child-friendly environment where the professionals who see the children have been trained in child interviewing and assessment.

When the investigation substantiates that abuse has taken place

If the investigation indicates that a child has been sexually abused, interventions are taken to protect the child from immediate harm. Police are also involved when criminal acts have taken place. Once the child is out of immediate danger, CPS decides what kind of follow-up actions are needed to keep the child safe. Follow-up actions might include ongoing supervision by the Department of Social Services, services for the whole family, as well as for the abused child, including counseling and support programs.

Often parents are frightened that children will be removed from the home. Remember that removing a child is always the very last resort that is considered. This is only done when it is confirmed that a child is not safe in their home due to the protective adult’s inability to prevent harm or adequately care for the child.

When abuse is not substantiated

After an investigation has been conducted, a case is considered unsubstantiated if the protective authorities determine that no abuse has taken place, or if there was not enough evidence to prove the suspected abuse took place. It can be extremely upsetting and disappointing when a parent believes their child is being abused but can’t get protection for the child from the system because of a lack of evidence.

• Mandated Reporter
• Anyone can Report
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Home » What Happens After I Call?

What Happens After I Call?

If a call from a mandated reporter meets the five criteria and the Child Abuse Hotline  registers the report, CPS must follow up and investigate. According to state law , this investigation must start within 24 hours of the report but often starts immediately.

An immediate assessment is made of the need to take the child from the home and place him/her in protective custody. This rarely happens; only if the child is in imminent danger of harm.

A CPS investigation involves interviewing the parents or persons legally responsible. The child, siblings, another household member, and other involved adults are also interviewed. The child may be examined for physical signs of abuse or neglect. The CPS caseworker also contacts the mandated reporter who initiated the call. State Law also provides protection for the rights of parents or others legally responsible for the child.

Finally, a determination will be made of whether the report is indicated or unfounded , depending on whether there is enough evidence of abuse or neglect. If abuse or neglect is proven, a Service Plan for the family will be put into place. CPS will monitor the execution of this plan.

As a mandated reporter, you may not be aware of the CPS team’s actions after you make a report. You may also be worried about the family, and whether your call will make things better for them. Click on the sidebar questions to find out what happens after you call.

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What Is Mandated Reporting?

Dr. Amy Marschall is an autistic clinical psychologist with ADHD, working with children and adolescents who also identify with these neurotypes among others. She is certified in TF-CBT and telemental health.

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

kali9/E+/Getty

Who Is a Mandated Reporter?

• Requirements
• Failure to Report
• What Information Is Disclosed?

What Other Things Might Be Reported?

Mandated reporting refers to the legal obligation to report abuse. Mandated reporters are individuals or agencies that are legally required to make these reports. In the United States, mandated reporting laws vary significantly.

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) allows you to look up mandated reporting laws for your state.

At a Glance

Mandating reporting laws vary by state. In some cases, certain professionals and organizations are required to report suspected abuse, while some states and jurisdictions require all residents, even private citizens, to report suspected abuse. However, anyone can report abuse, neglect, or abandonment whether or not they are a mandated reporter.

Research suggests that mandatory reporting requires professionals to make accurate and informed decisions in children's best interest. Since laws vary by state, there are some jurisdictional differences about who is required to make these reports. Typically, this includes the following individuals:

• Babysitters
• Daycare providers
• Law enforcement
• Teacher's aids
• Other school employees
• Other medical professionals
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Other therapists

In addition, certain organizations and agencies are required to report suspected abuse, which can include:

• Child advocacy organizations
• Domestic abuse organizations
• Medical clinics

You do not have to be a mandated reporter to report suspected abuse. Anyone can report suspected abuse, and in some states, non-mandated reporters can make these reports anonymously.

Mandated Reporting Requirements

Although states vary on the specifics, mandated reporters exist to ensure safety by reporting suspected abuse. The local department of human services (sometimes called Child Protective Services or Department of Social Services) investigates the report and determines whether intervention is necessary.

Mandated reporters may report suspected child abuse , elder abuse, or vulnerable adult abuse.

Abuse can include physical, sexual , or emotional abuse (though many states do not include emotional abuse under mandated reporting laws), neglect, and exposure to unsafe environments, such as drug use or domestic violence .

Mandated reporters typically do not investigate suspected abuse; rather, their obligation is to report their suspicions. For example, if a child discloses that a parent hit them, the mandated reporter does not reach out to the parent to confirm the report but instead reports the allegation.

Mandated reporters are only required to disclose allegations to the department of human services. They are not required to tell the parent or guardian about the report, and often a mandated reporter will not share the allegation if the guardian might be the perpetrator. The information is kept private for safety reasons and to prevent further abuse in retaliation for making the report.

What Happens If a Mandated Reporter Doesn't Report?

Mandated reporters are legally required to follow state laws about reporting abuse and neglect. Failing to make a report is a crime and is classed as a misdemeanor in most states, with specific penalties varying by jurisdiction.

They must report even if they are uncertain about whether or not the allegation is true. Mandated reporters might also be subject to civil litigation for failing to protect a vulnerable individual.

In some states, there is no statute of limitations on failing to make a report. As such, victims of abuse can pursue charges against the mandated reporter no matter how long ago they disclosed the abuse.

Because mandated reporters are required to make these reports, they cannot be penalized for making a report in good faith. In addition, if someone who is not a mandated reporter makes a report that turns out to be unfounded, they cannot be penalized. This is because safety is important, and people must not be penalized for trying to keep vulnerable populations safe.

What Information Is Disclosed in the Report?

Again, requirements vary by state; however, reports must include information about the victim, perpetrator, current location, and the allegation. Sometimes, limited information is available, and the report will only include the information that is available.

The mandated reporter can request a confirmation letter documenting that they made the report. The letter might include information about the outcome of the investigation.

Guardians can request information about the report; however, this might not include who made the report. Because a perpetrator might punish the victim for reporting abuse, information about who made the report is typically kept confidential.

How to Report Abuse

Check with your state Department of Health and Welfare or contact local law enforcement to learn where to report suspected abuse. The information included during mandated reporting will include:

• Names of the child, family, and their contact information
• Where the child is located
• Whether the child is in immediate danger
• Description of what you witness
• Why you are concerned
• Other information that might be helpful
• Your name, contact information, and relationship to the child
• Names of other people who might know the situation

Sometimes, information might not fall under mandated reporting, but an individual might still disclose it for safety or legal reasons.

Duty to Warn

Many therapists and other professionals will also report threats to harm self or others, known as duty to warn or duty to protect. In most states, this does not fall under mandated reporting. However, there is civil precedent indicating that a therapist can be held liable if a client discloses a plan to hurt themselves or someone else, and the therapist does not take steps to intervene.

This requirement is based on the legal case, Tarasoff vs Regents of the University of California, a 1976 case in which a client disclosed to his therapist that he intended to commit murder. The victim's family successfully sued the therapist for failing to protect the victim after the client carried out his plan.

Duty to warn can include contacting the potential victim if the information is available. It can also include contacting law enforcement about a threat.

If someone discloses that they are suicidal and have a plan or intent to end their life, the therapist might contact crisis or emergency services to ensure their safety.

Because duty to warn involves civil liability, it is separate from mandated reporting laws.

Court Orders

Professionals might be subject to a court order from a judge to disclose information. Refusing to comply with a court order is illegal, and defying a court order can lead to jail time. Judges might request information as part of criminal cases or child custody disputes. Court orders do not fall under mandated reporting laws.

What This Means For You

Mandated reporting aims to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations and prevent abuse. Check your government website to learn more about your state's mandated reporting laws. You can learn what circumstances require a report and which professionals and organizations are mandated reporters.

Tufford L, Lee B, Bogo M, et al. Decision-making and relationship competence when reporting suspected physical abuse and child neglect: An objective structured clinical evaluation .  Clin Soc Work J . 2021;49(2):256-270. doi:10.1007/s10615-020-00785-6

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Reporting neglect, abuse, or abandonment .

Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, 131 Cal. Rptr. 14 (Cal. 1976).

By Amy Marschall, PsyD Dr. Amy Marschall is an autistic clinical psychologist with ADHD, working with children and adolescents who also identify with these neurotypes among others. She is certified in TF-CBT and telemental health.

• Child Custody and Support

How to Make an Anonymous Report to Child Protective Services

By David Weedmark

Updated February 13, 2020

ChrisMajors/iStock/GettyImages

If you believe a child is being abused or maltreated, you can anonymously report it to child protective services, or CPS, by calling the hotline in your state or county. But this is not the only way to help a child who is in need. If you believe a child is in imminent danger, call 911, which you can also do anonymously, if necessary.

Identifying Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Approximately 60 percent of all calls to CPS are made anonymously. Of those calls, however, less than 2 percent are substantiated by any evidence by CPS after its investigation. Before making a report, it's important to have some degree of certainty that what you have witnessed is really harmful to a child.

Specific definitions of child abuse and maltreatment vary from state to state, but the general definition is straightforward. Child abuse occurs when a parent, guardian or anyone else legally responsible for the child has:

• inflicted serious physical or mental injury to a child.
• substantially risked a child's life.
• caused serious or prolonged disfigurement.
• caused prolonged impairment of a child's physical or emotional health.
• sexually abused a child.
• permitted someone else to do any of the above.

A maltreated child is any child who has been physically, mentally or emotionally harmed when a parent, guardian or anyone else legally responsible for the child has:

• failed to supply the child with adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care or education.
• unreasonably inflicted harm, or risk of harm, on a child. 
• allowed someone else to inflict harm, or risk of harm, on a child.
• misused drugs or alcohol to the point where he loses control of his actions.
• abandoned a child.

Note that any adult living in the same home as a child is usually considered to be legally responsible for that child.

What Happens When You Make a Report?

When you make a report to CPS, the response is usually immediate, with an investigation beginning within 24 hours. CPS notifies the adults responsible for the child that a report has been filed and an investigation has started. CPS may see the child first, if they feel the situation warrants it. They can also take the child into protective custody.

In following weeks, CPS determines if the complaint is credible or unfounded. Any evidence of abuse or maltreatment can make the report credible, but it may not always be enough evidence on which to submit a petition to the court for a hearing.

If the evidence suggests the threat to the child isn't serious, the report can be closed. The family may be offered support or counseling to prevent further neglect or abuse. If the parents or guardians refuse this offer, CPS can ask a judge to make their recommendations mandatory.

Other Ways to Intervene

Contacting CPS is often the best way to ensure that a child will be protected, but it isn't the only option. You always have the choice to call the local police. A third option is to contact someone in a profession or field that legally requires them to contact CPS with their name and contact information.

People in these positions are called mandatory reporters, because they are required by law to report suspected abuse or maltreatment. These positions include:

• teachers and principals.
• child care providers.
• doctors and nurses.
• therapists and counselors.
• social workers.
• law enforcement officers.

If you are in any way uncertain if you have witnessed child abuse or maltreatment, you may want to talk to someone in one of these professions who knows the child or the child's family, such as a school teacher or health care provider.

• Suffolk County New York: Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Maltreatment
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

A published author and professional speaker, David Weedmark has advised businesses and governments on technology, media and marketing for more than 20 years. He has taught computer science at Algonquin College, has started three successful businesses, and has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines throughout Canada and the United States.

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When to Report Child Abuse to CPS (and How to Do It)

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: are you prepared to recognize and appropriately report an abusive or neglectful situation?

Being able to recognize child abuse or neglect is the first step toward stopping it. Some cases are more obvious than others, but understanding the law is critical to knowing when legal intervention is necessary and how best to contact the authorities.

Recognizing Abuse or Neglect

Child abuse and neglect are not limited to noticeable physical harm or abandonment, so make sure the full scope of both definitions are taken into account. Remember, “ reasonable suspicion ” is the only requirement for calling Child Protective Services (CPS).

Here are seven offenses a parent, guardian or caretaker can commit that would be considered abuse or neglect of a child, as per the Code of Virginia , section 63.2-100:

• Causes or threatens to cause a nonaccidental physical or mental injury.
• Has a child present during the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a controlled substance or during the unlawful sale of such substance where such activity would constitute a felony violation.
• Commits or allows to be committed any illegal sexual act upon a child, including incest, rape, indecent exposure, and prostitution, or allows a child to be used in any sexually explicit visual material.
• Neglects or refuses to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, emotional nurturing, or health care.
• Abandons the child.
• Neglects or refuses to provide adequate supervision in relation to a child’s age and level of development.
• Knowingly leaves a child alone in the same dwelling with a person, not related by blood or marriage, who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender.

Exact definitions vary from state-to-state , but the above guidelines constitute an informative starting point. For a comprehensive list of indicators in both parent/guardian/caretaker and child behavior, review “ A Guide For Mandated Reporters In Recognizing And Reporting Child Abuse And Neglect. ”

Report Criteria

Naturally, if signs of the aforementioned offenses are present for a child, the average person may feel an obligation to report the abuse or neglect and should do so within the definition of reasonable suspicion. However, in the State of California, for example, an individual is legally mandated to report reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child if any of the following job titles apply : “Health practitioner, child visitation monitors, fire fighter, animal control officer, humane society officer, district attorney, school employees, film processors, clergy, social workers, daycare workers, police department employees, administrators or employees of public or private youth organizations or day camps.” Failure to report abuse or neglect of a child if you hold one of the above positions could result in a fine or even jail time .

Once the decision to report potential child abuse or neglect has been made, ensure that your statement is grounded by the following five criteria that allow CPS to register an official, actionable report :

• Identity and Location Before CPS can take action, the identities of the abused and the abuser(s), as well as their locations, must be confirmed. Full names, phone numbers, and home or business addresses (or just the city and state) will be invaluable information.
• Age of the Child From a legal perspective, the age of the abused party is extremely important. If the abused is under 18, always make the call to report. However, if the abused person is over the age of 18 or not under professional care due to long-term health concerns, such as physical or mental impairment (even then, states often cap the application of “child” at 21), then child abuse or neglect is not likely to apply in a legal sense. Of course, cases of assault should still be reported to your local police.
• Jurisdiction Where did the alleged abuse take place and where are the parties involved now? Not only is this information vital for location, it also establishes guidelines of legal responsibility for the investigation, if this is deemed appropriate.
• Persons Legally Responsible Who perpetrated the abuse or neglect? Any adult who was responsible for the child’s care or wellbeing during the relevant timeframe of the suspected abuse or neglect can be investigated. This includes any adult who regularly spent time in the child’s home.
• Allegation of Abuse or Neglect If the report claims a child is being abused: Is the alleged abuse physical, sexual or emotional? Did the abuser(s) carry out the alleged abused directly or by creating a situation where the abuse/danger was imminent? If the report claims a child is being neglected: Is the child in immediate danger? Has the legally responsible adult allowed a dangerous environment to flourish actively or inactively? Has the child been harmed by the neglectful situation? Once the above questions can be answered as thoroughly as possible, an official report can be made and acted upon quickly to help the child.
• When and Who to Call Keep in mind, “ you do not need to be certain that child abuse or neglect has occurred before you call the Child Abuse Hotline. ” Reasonable suspicion and the information listed above is enough for the CPS to register a report. To lodge a report call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). You can also find your specific state organization’s contact information here .

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How to File a Civil Rights Complaint

Complaint requirements.

Your complaint must:

• Be filed in writing by mail, fax, e-mail, or via the  OCR Complaint Portal
• Name the health care or social service provider involved, and describe the acts or omissions, you believe violated civil rights laws or regulations
• Be filed within 180 days of when you knew that the act or omission complained of occurred. OCR may extend the 180-day period if you can show "good cause"

File a Civil Rights Complaint Online

Open the  OCR Complaint Portal  and select the type of complaint you would like to file. Complete as much information as possible, including:

• Information about you, the complainant
• Details of the complaint
• Any additional information that might help OCR when reviewing your complaint

You will then need to electronically sign the complaint and complete the consent form. After completing the consent form you will be able to print out a copy of your complaint to keep for your records

File a Civil Rights Complaint in Writing

Note:  in accordance with the office for personnel management's and cdc's guidelines on covid 19, hhs personnel are teleworking.  ocr is committed to handling your complaint as quickly as possible.  however, for faster processing we strongly encourage you to use the ocr online portal to file complaints rather than filing via mail, as our personnel on site is limited..

File a Complaint Using the Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form Package

Open and fill out the  Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form Package   in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader software to fill out the complaint and consent forms. You may either:

• Print and mail the completed complaint and consent forms to: Centralized Case Management Operations U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 509F HHH Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20201
• Email the completed complaint and consent forms to  [email protected] (Please note that communication by unencrypted email presents a risk that personally identifiable information contained in such an email, may be intercepted by unauthorized third parties)

File a Complaint without the Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form Package

If you prefer, you may submit a written complaint in your own format by either:

• Mail to Centralized Case Management Operations U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 509F HHH Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20201
• Email to  [email protected]

Be sure to include:

• Full address
• Telephone numbers (include area code)
• E-mail address (if available)
• Name, full address and telephone number of the person, agency or organization you believe discriminated against you
• A brief description of what happened, including how, why, and when you believe your (or someone else's) civil rights were violated
• Any other relevant information
• Your signature and date of complaint
• The name of the person on whose behalf you are filing if you are filing a complaint for someone else

You may also include:

• Any special accommodations for us to communicate with you about this complaint
• Contact information for someone who can help us reach you if we cannot reach you directly
• If you have filed your complaint somewhere else and where you’ve filed

If you mail a complaint, be sure to send it to:

Centralized Case Management Operations U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 509F HHH Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20201

You do not need to sign the complaint and consent forms when you submit them by email because submission by email represents your signature.

Language assistance services for OCR matters are available and provided free of charge. OCR services are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Filing Complaints with Other Agencies

If you have a complaint about housing, law enforcement, labor, education, or employment discrimination, OCR does not investigate these types of complaints.  Find out where to get help

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• Online safety advice
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Contact the NSPCC Helpline

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by  calling 0808 800 5000 ,  emailing [email protected]  or  completing our report abuse online form .

Due to an increase in demand across our service,  our voice Helpline is currently available 11am–6pm Monday to Friday .  You can still  email [email protected]  or  complete our report abuse online form  at any time for free.  You don’t have to say who you are. 

If you think a child is in immediate danger, please  call the police on 999  straight away.

18 or under?

Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.

• Keeping children safe
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• Report child abuse

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Our voice Helpline is currently available 11am–6pm Monday to Friday. You can still email [email protected] or complete our report abuse online form at any time for free. If you think a child is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999 straight away.

( Read this page in Welsh | Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg )

If you have any concerns about a child, trust your instincts and contact the NSPCC Helpline. Our specialist team will listen, advise and take any action needed.

An estimated 1 in 20 children have experienced sexual abuse. And child sexual abuse is under-reported by adults. It's time for that to change.

It's never too soon to talk to us.  And what you share could make a life-changing difference to a child.   

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 , emailing [email protected]  or completing our report abuse online form .

Due to an increase in demand, our voice Helpline is currently available 11am–6pm Monday to Friday . You can still email [email protected]  or complete our report abuse online form at any time for free.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999 straight away.

Are you a professional working with children?

Please visit NSPCC Learning for Helpline advice and support for professionals working with children.

Visit NSPCC Learning

What happens when you contact the NSPCC Helpline

Our Helpline team are here to support you in a stress-free, comfortable way. Finding out what happens when you get in touch can help put your mind at ease about the process.

A call handler will answer the phone and ask a few basic questions to help them understand your worries. They might also give you answers to any questions that you have. If you’re worried about a child or young person or need parenting advice, they’ll put you through to a child protection specialist.

If you  email us  or  submit our report abuse online form , they’ll prioritise the most urgent queries.

A child protection specialist will listen to your concerns and ask you any questions they might have. This helps to make sure they understand the information you’re sharing, assess the situation, and make decisions about the next steps to take.

If you  email us  or submit our report abuse online form , they’ll write back to you with advice or some questions. You might be asked to call the Helpline if you can.

When there’s a serious concern about a child and you've shared the child's identity, the child protection specialist will make a report and share information with social services. This is known as 'making a referral'.

They might also contact local police if the child is in immediate danger. If the Helpline don't need to make a referral, they’ll give you advice on what you can do or information on local services.

No matter the outcome of your contact, we always encourage you to get in touch again if you need to. We'll pass on any further information you or anybody else shares about the child or young person you're worried about.

We understand that you might want to know what happens to the child or young person. However, we have a duty to protect the privacy of those involved and won't be able to share that information.

Reporting child abuse anonymously

There are lots of reasons why someone might want to remain anonymous when contacting us. You don't have to tell us who you are, where you live or share your contact details. If you do choose to share any of these with us, you can tell us not to share them with other agencies – like the police or social services.

If we think a child could be at risk, we have a duty to share the information that you give us with other agencies. But we'll respect your wishes about remaining anonymous. If you'd like to find out more about remaining anonymous, please call 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]

How to contact us

Call 0808 800 5000.

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 , emailing  [email protected]  or completing our report abuse online form .

Due to an increase in demand across our service, our voice helpline is currently operating between the hours of 11am and 6pm Monday to Friday. You can contact us outside of these hours by email at  [email protected] . If you think that a child is at immediate risk of harm, please call the Police on 999. However, you can email us at any time. It’s free and you don’t have to say who you are.

Calls are free from landlines and most mobiles. All our calls are recorded for training and quality purposes.

Call +44 203 879 8560 if you're living outside the UK but have concerns about a child resident within the UK. Calls from outside the UK will be charged.

As a UK-based charity, we're unable to guarantee that prompt safeguarding action would be taken for concerns reported about children who live in or are nationals of other countries.

If you're worried about a child from another country, the best thing to do is to contact the local welfare agencies or police.

Email [email protected]

Email us at [email protected] . We’ll aim to respond within 72 hours.

Please share as much information as you can about the child and the concerns you have. If you have any details that can help to identify the child, like their name or address, please share them too.

You can also email us your telephone number and name (or a false name if you prefer), and we'll call you.

SignVideo for d/Deaf or hard of hearing contacts

If you have a webcam, you can contact us via SignVideo .

SignVideo using British Sign Language (BSL) is available on PC, Mac, iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android smartphones (4.2 or above).

Once you're connected, a BSL interpreter will appear on your screen. You can explain to the interpreter what your concerns are and tell them that you want to contact the NSPCC. They'll contact us and relay your concerns to one of our child protection specialists.

The child protection specialist will listen to your concerns, assess the information and advise on a course of action. The interpreter will then relay the information and advice given by the child protection specialist to you.

This BSL video service is currently available from   8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 8am–1pm on Saturdays .

Our dedicated helplines

We have dedicated helplines that offer advice on specific issues. These include female genital mutilation (FGM) , gangs , radicalisation and whistleblowing .

Will you help us answer every call?

Abuse can stop with a call to our Helpline. Play your part by donating today and help us answer every call.

More advice and support

Listen up, Speak up

• What is child abuse?

• Spotting the signs of child abuse

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Understanding and Avoiding Common Scams

From profile hijacking and personal information leaks to financial losses, scams can have serious consequences. However, with the right knowledge and precautions, you can guard yourself against these threats. This article will explain some of the common scams that you may encounter while using Discord or elsewhere online. For more tips, check out this article about how to further protect yourself against scams.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is a manipulation tactic used by bad actors to trick individuals into divulging sensitive or personal information. The bad actor often poses as a trustworthy entity, offering a seemingly beneficial exchange of information. In its most basic form on our platform, social engineering is manipulating people to give their login credentials to an attacker.

Discord Staff Impersonation

Sometimes attackers try to impersonate Discord staff to gather information. To use this tactic, they hack into Discord accounts, then convince an account’s friends list that they've “accidentally reported them.” They encourage them to reach out to "Discord Employees" to resolve the issue.

These impersonators often copy social media profiles onto Discord accounts, produce fake resumes, and may even claim their staff badges are hidden for safety reasons. The end goal is to trick you into surrendering your account information, paying for their fraudulent services to “undo the report,” and acquiring your financial assets.

Discord Staff will never directly message users on the app for support or account-related inquiries. If someone claiming to be staff asks for personal information, payment, or changes to your login credentials, we recommend that you do not engage further. All Discord users can report policy violations in the app by following the instructions here .

Discord Staff are one of many groups that may be impersonated. Similar actions may occur for other companies as well, so be wary of accounts that may impersonate Support or Safety related questions in other companies too. In general, if you need support at any company, it is wise to go the official source instead.

You can always verify your account standing directly from Discord by going into User Settings > Privacy & Safety > Standing. Learn more about account standing here .

Impersonated Discord DMs

Attackers may also resort to impersonating official Discord responses through user accounts or bots. Typically, these messages include threats to your account standing if you do not comply with their demands. An official Discord DM will never ask for your password or account token, and will always display a staff badge on the profile, as well a system badge which says “Official.’

Malware Tricks

Malware often finds its way onto a device through downloads of malicious files. These files may appear harmless or even enticing—like a game from a friend. But once downloaded and run, they can give bad actors access to your login credentials, email addresses, and even your entire device.

Malicious Links and Fake Nitro Giveaways

Always exercise caution when clicking on links that will take you off of Discord, even when they appear to come from friends or promise rewards like free Nitro.

When you click on a link given to you, a pop up will show that you are leaving Discord and it will display the website you are being redirected to. It is advised to check the link to make sure you are going to the place that is intended.

Reporting Scams

Reporting safety violations is critically important to keeping you and the broader Discord community safe. All Discord users can report policy violations in the app by following the instructions here . Stay vigilant and informed to protect yourself and your digital assets.

Scams go against Discord’s Community Guidelines , and when we see this kind of activity, we take action, which can include banning users, shutting down servers and engaging with authorities. We are committed to reducing scams through technical interventions and continuously invest in safety enhancements and partner with third parties to accelerate our work.

For more information you can read our Deceptive Practices Policy Explainer as well as our Identity and Authenticity Policy Explainer .

Safety Center

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Parents & Educators, Join Us on Discord!

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Survivor benefits

Survivor benefits provide monthly payments to eligible family members of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.

Who can get Survivor benefits

You may qualify if you’re the spouse, divorced spouse, child, or dependent parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.

What you could get

You could get a monthly payment and may be eligible for Medicare based on the work history of the family member who died.

What to report if you get Survivor benefits

Once you’re approved for Survivor benefits, you must report changes to your work, income, and personal information.

When to report a death

A funeral home will usually tell us when someone dies, so you may not need to report a death to us. 

Reporting a notifiable incident

Service providers registered with the Social Services Regulator are responsible for reporting notifiable incidents that occur during the delivery of a registered social service.

On this page

What is a notifiable incident, what incidents must be reported, how to report a critical notifiable incident, how to report serious risk and serious harm incidents (cims users), how to report serious risk and serious harm incidents (non-cims users), what happens after i report a notifiable incident, how your reporting helps safeguard social service users, specific requirements for supported residential services, notifiable incident types and reporting timeframes.

The requirement to report starts once a provider is registered. This means some providers will not be required to report until later in 2024 or into 2025. 

This information does not cover Worker Carer Exclusion Scheme (WCES) notifications. More information on WCES notifications visit the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme page .

There are three types of notifiable incident:

• Serious risk – a serious incident that is reasonably likely to cause serious harm to a service user
• Serious harm - a serious incident that has resulted in serious harm or serious injury to a service user
• Critical - a critical notifiable incident is one of:
• Unexpected death
• Absent service user
• Escape from a secure facility
• Medication error, where the incident results in an adverse medical event
• Physical abuse, where the incident involves police, ambulance attendance, hospitals or a staff on service user assault
• Sexual abuse, where the incident involves police, ambulance attendance, hospitals or a staff on service user assault

Fire, flood or other emergency event that poses a serious risk to service users including relocation.

All notifiable incidents must be reported to the Social Services Regulator.

There are urgent requirements for reporting critical notifiable incidents.

These requirements come from section 48 of the Social Services Regulation Act 2021  (the Act).

Step 1: Ensure the immediate safety and wellbeing of service users directly and indirectly impacted.

Step 2:  Within 24 hours complete and submit the Social Services Regulator critical notifiable incident form   to   provide basic information about the incident. If the incident occurred on a Friday or the weekend you must submit the form the next business day.

Step 3 :  Within 3 business days complete and submit a full incident report . CIMS users submit the incident report using the Client Incident Management System (CIMS) . Non-CIMS users submit the incident report using the Social Services Regulator incident report form .

The Client Incident Management System (CIMS) is an e-system used by the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to report incidents for providers funded by DFFH. Relevant reports made in CIMS will be sent to DFFH and the Social Services Regulator, meaning service providers report once.

Non-CIMS users include: supported residential services, providers funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and providers funded by WorkSafe.

Step 2: Within 3 business days report using the Client Incident Management System (CIMS) . Refer to CIMS guidance and resources for more information about reporting.

Step 2: Within 3 business days report  using the Social Services Regulator incident report form . The form will prompt you to choose the type of incident.

Shortly after submitting the report, you will receive a confirmation email, which will include a reference number.   You may need to check your junk email (or trash) folder.

After receiving a notifiable incident, the Regulator will: 

• review the information
• confirm the report is in scope and which category it falls into
• assess the risk of the incident and determine a response.

The Regulator may: 

• ask for further information
• record the notifiable incident for intelligence purposes and identifying trends
• monitor the response to the notifiable incident 
• investigate the incident
• take action for non compliance against the Social Services Standards (Standards), or breaches of the Act or the Social Services Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) 
• close the report with no further action.

The Regulator takes all reports seriously and is committed to preventing and responding to significant harm or risk of harm to service users.

Reporting notifiable incidents informs the Regulator of serious harm or risks of harm to service users during social service delivery, and actions taken by service providers to address the immediate health and safety of their service users.

Responding to notifiable incidents is an important tool towards achieving the Regulator’s overarching purpose of ensuring the safety of Victorian service users.

The Regulator makes decisions using an integrated, intelligence-led approach, and identifies sector trends and needs by collecting and analysing information (including through incident reporting).

Supported residential services have more types of notifiable incidents. These are:

• deterioration in health
• medication error
• behaviour that may pose a serious risk to safety
• relocation of resident
• termination of residential and services agreement.

These incidents must be reported to the Social Services Regulator using the Social Services Regulator incident report form and  to a resident’s guardian or person nominated.

For medication errors, providers of supported residential services must:

• seek medical advice (for example, the treating doctor, local chemist or Nurse-On-Call service) about the potential risks and recommended follow up action
• immediately make records after any medication errors including the date and time, what occurred, what was administered and the name and signature of the staff member who administered or supervised the administration of the medication.

If a resident’s health and personal support needs change, the service provider must ensure that the resident’s ongoing support plan is reviewed and varied as necessary to meet the changed needs of the resident.

Ongoing support plans must set out the ongoing health and personal support requirements of the resident and agreements of how a service provider may assist with the resident ongoing health and support needs. 

These specific requirements apply in addition to requirements for reporting serious risk, serious harm and critical incidents.

Death of a service user during service delivery where the death is unanticipated or unexpected including as:

• a result of suicide or
• the use or misuse of drugs, alcohol or other substances.

Reporting timeframe: 24 hours

Service user is unexpectedly absent from the service or absent without authorisation and there are concerns for their safety.

Only applies to service users in custodial care and/or disability services subject to compulsory treatment or judicial orders and includes:

• a service user escaping a centre with defined boundaries
• failure of a service user to return from temporary leave.

Refers to any error in the administration of a service user’s prescribed medication, where the service provider is responsible for the administration such as:

• the administration of incorrect medication
• missed medication
• the incorrect or unauthorised administration of PRN (from the Latin ‘pro re nata’) restraint medication
• psychotropic medicines misuse
• client refusal of prescribed or authorised medication
• pharmacy error (an error in the dispensing of medication).

Reporting timeframe:

• 24 hours where the incident results in an adverse medical event
• 3 business days

Actions involving inappropriate use of physical contact or force against a person that result in serious injury to the service user. This includes impact resulting from:

• threats of physical abuse made to a service user by another person
• excessive use of physical force or restraint by a staff member
• physical abuse perpetrated by other service users, as well as by caregiver or staff.

Physical abuse does not include an act or omission that constitutes a lawful exercise of force, such as the lawful and duly authorised use of physical restraint.

• 24 hours where the incident involves police, hospitals or a staff on service user assault

Actual or attempted unwanted sexual actions (or allegations of such actions) that result in major impact harm to the service user or which are otherwise forced upon a service user against their will or without their consent, through the use of physical force, intimidation and/or coercion.

Severe physical, emotional or psychological injury or suffering which is likely to cause ongoing trauma.

Reporting timeframe: 3 business days

A pattern of incidents related to one service user which, when taken together, may meet the level of harm to a service user in  Type 6.

Note: This may be the case even if each individual incident is assessed as a non-major impact incident.

• Actions or behaviours that reject, isolate, intimidate, or frighten by threats, or
• witnessing of family violence

to the extent that the service user’s behaviour is disturbed or their emotional/ psychological wellbeing is (or is at risk of being) seriously impaired. 

This includes:

• rejecting, isolating, terrorising and ignoring behaviours
• denying cultural or religious needs and preferences
• emotional abuse perpetrated by other clients.

Service providers should consider any potential power imbalance between the service user and the person engaging in the behaviour.

The misuse of a service user’s assets, property, possessions and finances without their consent, including:

• denying a service user the use of their own assets, property, possessions and finances
• theft, fraud, exploitation and pressure in relation to assets, property, possessions and finances
• obtaining assets through deception.

This also includes financial abuse perpetrated by other service users.

Actions that intentionally cause harm or injury to self or actions to attempt suicide (the intention to end one’s own life).

Sexual exploitation, defined as the abuse of a person under 18 or a person with a cognitive disability, which may include:

• the exchange of sex or sexual acts for money, goods, substance or favours
• involving a child in creating pornography
• contact with a known sex offender.

Inappropriate or inadequate care by caregivers or staff to the extent that the health, wellbeing and development of the service user is significantly impaired or at risk.

Terms and definitions - reporting a notifiable incident

Key terms and definitions relating to reporting a notifiable incident.

Updated 27 June 2024

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How To Recognize Scams To Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate

Some scammy debt relief companies promise to get you a lower credit card interest rate, claiming they can save you thousands of dollars. But they don't have special connections to do that. These companies can’t do anything for you that you can’t do for yourself for free. 

Why Your Interest Rate Matters

How scams to lower your interest rate work, how to protect yourself from credit card debt relief scams, what to do if you paid a scammer, report fraud.

Having a high interest rate on your credit card means you’ll end up paying more for things you buy, unless you pay your credit card bill off every month. It also might take you longer to pay off your credit card balance.

While there are no guarantees, you might be able to lower your interest rate by calling the customer service number on the back of your credit card and asking the company for a lower rate. There aren’t any shortcuts or special tricks to getting a lower rate.

You’ve probably gotten calls or messages from companies guaranteeing — for a fee — to get you a lower credit card interest rate and promising to save you thousands of dollars. These scammy debt relief companies will tell you just about anything to get your money — and do little or nothing to actually help you:

• Scammers say they have special relationships with banks and credit unions. They don’t.
• Scammers might say the lower interest rates they’re promising are only available for a limited time. They say you need to act now. But they’re just trying to rush you into a quick decision.
• Scammers guarantee you’ll get your money back if they can’t get you a lower rate. It’s not true. Instead, you’re likely to end up paying their fee, plus extra balance transfer and other fees they didn’t tell you about.

These companies can’t do anything for you that you can’t do yourself for free .

Also, by law, companies that sell debt relief services on the phone can’t charge a fee  before  they settle or lower your debt.

Dishonest debt relief companies promise special tricks or shortcuts that don't really exist. Skip the scams and reach out to your credit card company directly for help. Here are ways to avoid a scam:

Don’t share your credit card, bank account, or Social Security numbers — or any other personal information — with anyone who calls you unexpectedly.  Once a scammer has your information, they might use it to commit other fraud against you.

Never pay up front. It’s illegal for a debt relief company to charge you before they help you.  That includes money for services to lower your credit card’s interest rate.

Hang up on robocalls.  If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message from someone trying to sell you something, it’s almost always an illegal robocall. It’s also probably a scam. Hang up. Pressing numbers to speak to someone or remove you from the list will probably only lead to more robocalls. Learn more at  ftc.gov/robocalls .

Scammers often ask you to pay in ways that make it tough to get your money back. No matter how you paid a scammer, the sooner you act, the better. Learn more about  what to do if you paid a scammer .

If you spot a scam to lower your credit card interest rate or have information about a company or scammer who called you, report it at  ReportFraud.ftc.gov .

If you didn’t lose money and just want to report a call, report it at  DoNotCall.gov .

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