• How Do I Recognize Child Abuse?
• Why Should I Make a Report if I Suspect Child Abuse or Neglect?
• How Do I Report Suspect a Child Abuse or Neglect?
• Will the Child Be Taken Away From the Home If I Report?
• Then What Does Happen?
• Must I Be Certain? What if I Make a Mistake?
• Will My Name Be Confidential? Do I Have To Give My Name?
• How Will I Know What Happens After I Make a Report?
• What Else Can I Do If I Think a Parent I Know Is Abusing or Neglecting a Child?

Types of abuse

What does that mean?

What would I see?

Physical Abuse

A non-accidental injury to a child by a parent or caretaker.

You may see frequent and unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, injuries; the child may be overly afraid of the parent's reaction to misbehavior.

Physical Neglect

A parent or caretaker's failure to give the child food, clothing, hygiene, medical care and supervision.

You may see a very young child routinely left alone at home. You may know that a severe illness or injury is not being medically treated. A neighbor child may frequently turn up at your door--inadequately dressed for the weather-- saying their parent told them to stay away. Physical neglect can be hard to judge; sometimes what you see is poor judgment, but not neglect. Sometimes what you see is the result of poverty, not parental neglect.

Sexual Abuse

Ranges from offenses such as promoting prostitution, to fondling, intercourse, or using the child for pornographic materials.

You may observe sexual behavior way beyond what is expected for the child's age; a young child might have sudden, unusual difficulty with toilet habits; there may be pain or itching, bruises or bleeding in the genital area. The child might tell you.

Emotional Abuse

Includes severe rejection, humiliation, and actions intended to produce fear or extreme guilt in a child.

You may see a parent who verbally terrorizes the child, who continually and severely criticizes the child, or who fails to express any affection or nurturing.

Why should I make a report if I suspect child abuse or neglect?
The reason to make a report is to get help for the child and the family. The Child Abuse and Maltreatment Reporting Center ("The Child Abuse Hotline") will notify the local Child Protective Services (CPS), which is part of the county Department of Social Services. In New York City, the Administration for Children's Services will be notified. CPS will investigate and take needed action to protect the child and to help the parent solve problems, which are leading to abuse or neglect. For example, the family may be referred to day care or homemaker services to help relieve the pressures of parenthood. CPS might suggest counseling, or participation in a drug or alcohol program or a parenting education program.

How do I report it, if I suspect a child is being abused or neglected?
If the child lives in New York State, call "The Child Abuse Hotline": 1-800-342-3720, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You will need to explain the child's and parents' names, address, and what it is that makes you suspect the child is abused or neglected. This includes (1) the child's condition or behavior and (2) the parents' behavior, You will also be asked ages, race, phone number, who lives in the household; if you don't know, the report can still be taken.

If the child lives in another state, you can find out how to report by calling ChildHelp USA at 1-800-4ACHILD. Or you can contact the local child protective services agency where the child lives.

Will the child be taken away from the home if I report?
The child will be taken into "protective custody" only if she or he is in immediate danger. Removing the child from the home is not a routine occurrence. Unless the child is in serious danger, the goal is to keep the family together.

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Then what does happen?
Within 24 hours of receiving a report, CPS begins an investigation. Within 60 days they must determine whether the reported suspicion is "indicated" or "unfounded." "Indicated" means there is evidence that the children have been abused or neglected. If abuse or maltreatment is indicated, CPS will recommend a plan for the family to protect the child and to help the parents solve problems which are leading to abuse or neglect.

Should I be certain? What if I make a mistake?
You need to have a reasonable suspicion of child abuse, not to prove it or be absolutely certain. You might be mistaken, but it is better to err on the side of the child. Not reporting your suspicions may mean that abuse will continue. If you make a report in good faith, you are immune from civil or criminal liability.

Do I Have To Give My Name? If I do, will it be confidential?
Reports may be made anonymously. Although you don't have to give your name, we recommend that you do so. The CPS caseworker who will investigate the situation is not the same person—or even the same office—that takes your report. The caseworker may want to talk to you for additional information or clarification. Giving your name will assure that the worker can contact you, and that important information will not be forgotten or lost. Your name will be kept confidential. By law, CPS may not release the name of the person who made the report to the family who was reported.

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How will I know what happens after I make a report?
You may not know, except by seeing changes in the child and family. Our laws require CPS to work under very strict confidentiality rules, for the protection of everybody involved. The workers cannot share information about the report. You can be assured that if the hotline took your report, CPS is investigating the situation. The law requires that CPS must investigate all reports received by the Hotline. If you think the situation has not changed, or if you know of another incident of abuse or neglect, you may and should make another report to the hotline.

What else can I do if I think a parent I know is abusing or neglecting a child?
You can let the parent know that you are concerned about her or him. Realize the parent may be under stress, feeling lonely and isolated or inadequate as a parent. Offer your support. For example, give her or him a break by taking care of the children for awhile. Encourage the parent to seek other help. For example, encourage a parent who is having difficulty dealing with their children to attend a parenting class or support group.

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