Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD and by How.com.vn 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.
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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.
Steps
How to Anonymously Report to CPS
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Call your state’s CPS report line or submit an anonymous report. Child abuse is handled at a state level rather than a federal one, so you’ll need to contact the phone number associated with your state. Some states also have specific emails or websites that you can use to make your report.[1]- Check the State Phone Numbers & Websites for Reporting section below to find the best ways to report child abuse in your state.
Provide a detailed explanation of why you suspect child abuse. Don’t spare any details—the more information you provide, the better equipped CPS will be to look into your report. Describe what you’ve noticed or witnessed that makes you think abuse or neglect is going on, as well as personal information about the child and their alleged abuser.[2]- “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.”
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Know that no further action is needed on your end. Once you submit your report, it’ll be transferred to the CPS division in your state. After looking over the information, a CPS worker will decide if the report needs to be investigated or not. If a follow-up investigation does occur, the CPS employee might speak with relevant parties (like relatives or the child in question) to make an informed decision about the potential abuse.[3]- Call the Childhelp Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 to learn if/how you can follow up on your case.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Check out resources like ChildWelfare, HHS, MayoClinic, and KidsHealth to learn more about child abuse.Thanks
- 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
Warnings
- 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
References
- ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
- ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
- ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
- ↑ https://www.childhelphotline.org/how-it-works/
- ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
- ↑ 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/pubPDFs/signs.pdf
- ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/identifying/emotional-abuse/
- ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/signs.pdf
- ↑ https://www.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://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!
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