Tips on Making a Report

can remain anonymous in most states. There are states that require a name.
is protected under the “good faith” law. As long as they are reporting in good faith, they are protected by law and cannot be sued.
should remember they may be the child’s only voice for help.
is merely making a request for an investigation, not an accusation.
may never hear the outcome of the report due to confidentiality issues but that doesn’t mean nothing is being done.

are made in the county in which the abuse took place.
being made out of state need to be made to the direct line. Many 800 numbers only work when calling from within the state.
made by crisis counselors or conferences by crisis counselors need to be recorded on the CPS Reporting Form.
made to CPS concern alleged perpetrators who are responsible for the welfare of the child – not the neighbor down the street – those reports go directly to the police.
often require observable harm. While screaming, swearing and demeaning statements may be abuse, they are not situations of observable harm and are difficult to investigate. If the child throws up every morning in response to the above behaviors, that is observable harm.

cannot confirm absolutely that the situation the caller is describing is abuse. Callers must refer to their local Child Protective Services for absolute confirmation.
Counselors must keep in mind that the definition of a minor may vary from state to state as well as the laws regarding emancipation and minor-to-minor violations.

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