Child Abuse Hotlines

Child Abuse

It is very often that people are aware that abuse is occurring, but they do no take the necessary steps to help and take children out of that situation. There are children that have grown up being abused from a very young age, by the very people that provide them with food, clothing, and shelter. It may be very difficult for them to take action and protect themselves from further danger, especially if it is all they have ever known. Kids will be worried about what is in store for them in the future, what is going to happen to their parents whom they love and care for, and what type of physical repercussions they may face. Many children may even be unaware that it is abnormal for parents to hurt their spawn in such a way, and reporting it may not have even crossed their mind.

For these children that are unable or unwilling to help themselves, the general public has to do their part and recognize when there is a situation that is going require their intervention. Somebody needs to step up and show parents that the way that they are treating their children is unacceptable, otherwise the abusers will continue to abuse, and the kids will continue to suffer. Doing something to stand in the way of kids and those that are committing violence upon them will be appreciated by victims for the rest of their lives, even if they never have a chance to communicate that personally.

Every state in America has at least one number that citizens can call if they think that the maltreatment of children is occurring somewhere. Having the bravery to make that call can make all the difference in these young lives, and the direction that they go in could be completely in the palm of your hands. Statistics have shown that past sufferers of abuse are much more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, have unprotected sex with multiple partners, females are more likely to become pregnant as a teen, and the chances of violent crimes by victims is also higher as well. It is also important to note that the chances of people that were abused as children going on to abuse their own children in the future is much higher as well. This creates a cycle of violence that is not going to be easy to stop if people do not do everything that is in their ability to keep the kids in their communities or neighborhoods safe.

Child Abuse Hotlines

If you suspect that a child’s health or safety is in jeopardy due to abuse or neglect by parents or other caretaker, contact the appropriate child abuse hotline number to report the details. The information provided may be freely reproduced.

Alabama
Local (toll): (334) 242-9500

http://www.dhr.state.al.us/page.asp?pageid=347
Click on the website above for information on reporting.

Alaska
Toll-Free: (800) 478-4444

http://www.hss.state.ak.us/ocs/default.htm

Arizona
Toll-Free: (888) SOS-CHILD (888-767-2445)

https://www.azdes.gov/dcyf/cps/reporting.asp

Arkansas
Toll-Free: (800) 482-5964

http://www.state.ar.us/dhs/chilnfam/child_protective_services.htm

California
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/PG20.htm
Click on the website above for information on reporting.

Colorado
Local (toll): (303) 866-5932

http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childwelfare/FAQ.htm
Click on the website above for information on reporting.

Connecticut
TDD: (800) 624-5518
Toll-Free: (800) 842-2288

http://www.state.ct.us/dcf/HOTLINE.htm

Delaware
Toll-Free: (800) 292-9582

http://kids.delaware.gov/services/crisis.shtml

District of Columbia
Local (toll): (202) 671-SAFE (202-671-7233)

http://cfsa.dc.gov/cfsa/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=520663&cfsaNav=|31319|

Florida
Toll-Free: (800) 96-ABUSE (800-962-2873)

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/

Georgia
Toll-Free: (404)-651-9361 (phone)
Toll-Free: (404)-657-4483 (fax)
http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DFCS/
Click on the website above for information on reporting.

Hawaii
Local (toll): (808) 832-5300

http://www.hawaii.gov/dhs/protection/social_services/child_welfare/

Idaho
TDD: (208) 332-7205
Toll-Free: (800) 926-2588

http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/AbuseNeglect/ChildProtectionContactPhoneNumbers/tabid/475/Default.aspx

Illinois
Toll-Free: (800) 252-2873
Local (toll): (217) 524-2606

http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/child/index.shtml

Indiana
Toll-Free: (800) 800-5556

http://www.in.gov/dcs/protection/dfcchi.html

Iowa
Toll-Free: (800) 362-2178

http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/dhs2005/dhs_homepage/children_family/abuse_reporting/child_abuse.html

Kansas
Toll-Free: (800) 922-5330

http://www.srskansas.org/services/child_protective_services.htm