Child Abuse Hotline
Child Abuse Hotline
The abuse or maltreatment of children is against the law. Victims need an effective child protective service to prevent them from suffering further injury and impairment.
The purpose of the Child Protective Services Act of 1973 is to encourage more complete reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. The law established child protective services (CPS) in each county in New York. Each CPS is required to investigate child abuse and maltreatment reports, to protect children (anyone under 18 years old) from further abuse or maltreatment, and to provide rehabilitative services to children, parents, and other family members involved.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services maintains the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR, also known as the “hotline”) for reports made pursuant to the Social Services Law.
The SCR receives telephone calls alleging child abuse or maltreatment within New York State. SCR staff relay information from the calls to the local CPS for investigation, monitors their prompt response, and identifies whether there are prior child abuse or maltreatment reports.
The SCR receives calls 24 hours a day, every day from two types of sources: persons who are required by law (mandated) to report suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment, and calls from non-mandated reporters, including the public.
Among those who are mandated reporters:
- Medical and hospital personnel
- School officials
- Social service workers
- Child care workers
- Residential care workers and volunteers
- Law enforcement personnel
English:
Reports of suspected child abuse or maltreatment should be made immediately by telephone — at any time and on any day of the week — to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). The telephone numbers you may call are:
Child Abuse Emergency Hotline Number: 1-800-342-3720
Spanish:
Los reportes de sospecha de abuso o maltrato infantil deberían hacerse inmediatamente por teléfono, a cualquier hora y cualquier día de la semana, al Registro Central de Abuso y Maltrato Infantil del Estado (Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment—SCR). Los números de teléfono a los que puede llamar son:
Número de la Línea de Emergencia de Abuso Infantil: 1-800-342-3720
