Reporting Child Abuse and Violence Against Children
One of the biggest reasons why our children suffer from abuse in this country is that neighbors, friends, family members do not report any suspicious behavior. Many children’s lives would have been saved if there were previous reports documented by law enforcement or the Division of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), also known as Child Protective Services (CPS) in some states. Perpetrators of crimes against children often go free because of no prior documented record, only to eventually kill a child. Very few people report suspected abuse or neglect! If Casey Anthony’s parents, extended family or friends would have reported something suspicious in the child’s life, Caylee may have not died.If you suspect abuse OR the neglect of a child, please make a report with your local police as well! This is critical and it must be documented.
People who call to report suspected abuse do not have to be sure maltreatment has occurred. They simply report what they have seen or heard. The authorities will investigate and confirm whether or not abuse has occurred. People who call are asked to give the name and location of the child and the name of the suspected perpetrator.
Reports are confidential and those who call do not have to give their name. However, it is most helpful to the child in the long run if the reporter is willing to give his or her name and address and, if necessary, testify in court.
The job of protecting children starts in the community. While certain people are required by law to report child mistreatment, anyone can make a report of suspected abuse. The sooner the authorities know about a child, the faster they can move to help!
Things to Look For
Children who are maltreated are:
- often left home alone
- in the neighborhood for long periods without supervision
- frequently hungry
- dressed inadequately for the weather
- absent from school frequently
- bruised or have other marks of physical violence
- withdrawn or overly aggressive
- not receiving needed medical attention
In addition, if you see any of the following, please report!
- a child being hit with an object
- marks on a child’s body that do not appear to be an accident
- If a child tells you that he or she has been harmed by someone
How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
- Call the police and make a report
- Call your local county’s DFCS or CPS office and make a report. Numbers are listed below.
Within a few weeks, follow up with both parties to see if the report was submitted and investigated as of yet. DFCS and CPS are part of your state government
Some of these states require both the reporting party and the child who is allegedly being abused or neglected to live in the same state, however, some states have out of state reporting numbers. If the reporting party lives in a different state and there is no out of state number, please call the National Child Abuse 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Additionally, please call the local police in the child’s city and make a report. For more detailed instructions on reporting abuse or neglect in each state, move your cursor over the state name and visit their Department of Family and Children’s Services.
