How to Report Child Abuse Cases
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Child Welfare Information Gateway website contains a listing of toll-free numbers for specific agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect in each state. To identify the appropriate agency to contact in a specific state, see the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers page.
Featured Resource
Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
For children and youth, participating in the justice system as a victim or witness can be especially confusing, distressing, and even re-traumatizing. The Office for Victims of Crime developed these materials to support children and youth during their involvement with the justice system as a victim or witness to a crime.
Publications and Online Materials
Child Welfare Outcomes
Administration for Children and Families, Annual
Just Addressing Child Sexual Violence
National Institute of Justice, 2022
Just A Pediatric Viewpoint on At-Home Sexual Assault Kits
National Institute of Justice, 2022
In Focus: Children's Advocacy Centers
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, April 2022
Beyond Case Review: The Value of the Role of Team Facilitator in the Multidisciplinary Team/Children’s Advocacy Center Model
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention-Sponsored, September 2021
2020 Annual Report to Congress: Victims of Child Abuse Reauthorization Act
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, May 2021
Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act of 2013: 2020 Report to Congress
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, March 2021
Office for Victims of Crime Grant Programs: Victim Services for Children FY 2019 Topical Snapshot
Office for Victims of Crime, 2021
Child Abuse or Accident? Bringing Science to Pediatric Emergency Departments and Forensic Investigations
National Institute of Justice, February 2021
National Children's Alliance Annual Report 2019
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention-Sponsored, April 2020
Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Welfare Information Gateway, February 2019
Also see the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Portable Guides to Investigating Child Abuse series, which provides practical information on the investigation of child abuse and neglect. For additional and historical items from the Office of Justice Programs on this and other topics, see the Publications list.
Related Resources
Administration for Children and Families - Children's Bureau
As the oldest federal agency for children, the Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families has primary responsibility for administering federal child welfare programs. The Children's Bureau seeks to provide for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children through leadership, support for necessary services, and productive partnerships.
Changing Minds
Launched as part of the Department of Justice's Defending Childhood Initiative, the Changing Minds national campaign seeks to raise awareness, teach skills, and inspire public action to address children's exposure to violence and trauma.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
A service of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.
CrimeSolutions
The National Institute of Justice's CrimeSolutions website is meant to help practitioners and policymakers understand what works in justice-related programs and practices.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Crimes Against Children/Online Predators
The FBI provides a rapid, proactive, and comprehensive capacity to counter threats of child abuse and exploitation when those crimes fall under FBI jurisdiction and authority.
National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association
Supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National CASA Association is a network of nearly 1,000 programs that recruit, train and support volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom and other settings.
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
OVC is committed to enhancing the Nation's capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. Visit OVC's Child and Youth Victimization page for topical resources.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. See the Responding to Child Abuse section of the OJJDP site for more information.