This toll free number is available 24/7; counselors are waiting to assist you.
PHONE OPTIONS
Press 1 to report suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child
Press 2 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly or a vulnerable adult
Press 3 to verify the identity of a child protective investigator who recently visited you
Press 4 for information/referrals to other services in your local area.
Be prepared to provide specific descriptions of the incident(s) or the circumstances contributing to the risk of harm, including who was involved, what occurred, when and where it occurred, why it happened, the extent of any injuries sustained, what the victim(s) said happened, and any other pertinent information are very important. Information callers should have ready includes:
* Name, date of birth (or approximate age), race, and gender, for all adults and children involved.
* Addresses or another means to locate the subjects of the report, including current location.
* Information regarding disabilities and/or limitations of the victims (especially for vulnerable adult victims).
* Relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the child or adult victim(s).
* Other relevant information that would expedite an investigation, such as directions to the victim (especially in rural areas) and potential risks to the investigator, should be given to the Abuse Hotline Counselor.
Be Prepared to Provide:
When contacting the Florida Abuse Hotline, please have as much of the information listed below available before you call.
This information is important to know no matter who is reporting or what method they choose to report.
If you are unable to obtain some of the information below, you may still call the Hotline and a counselor will assess the information available to see if it meets statutory criteria for the Department of Children and Families to initiate a protective investigation.
Be prepared to provide the following information:
* Reporter name (this is required for professionally mandated reporters).
o View a list of professionally mandated reporters
o Download the professionally mandated reporters packet at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/abuse/docs/mandatedreporters.pdf
* Victim name, possible responsible person, or alleged perpetrator name(s).
* Complete addresses for subjects, including a numbered street address, apartment or lot number, city, state, and zip code and/or directions
to their location.
* Telephone numbers, including area code.
* Estimated or actual dates of birth.
* Social Security numbers, if available.
* A brief, yet concise, description of the abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, including physical, mental or sexual injuries, if any.
* Names of other residents and their relationship to the victim(s), if available.
* A brief description of the victim's disability or infirmity (required for vulnerable adults).
* The relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the victim.
FAX
To make a report, via fax, please send a detailed written report with your name and contact telephone or FAX contact information using the Florida Abuse Hotline’s fax reporting form to:
1-800-914-0004.
Tips for Successful Fax Reporting
This form is available in PDF Format, (requires that you use Adobe Acrobat to view and print).
WEB REPORTING:
Web reporting should not be used for situations requiring immediate attention. Please contact the Hotline’s toll free reporting number if you believe a child or vulnerable adult is at imminent risk of harm.
To make a report via the Florida Abuse Hotline’s web reporting option, please gather all of your information in advance and click the following link to access the web reporting option:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/
Guide for Reporting On-line.
NOTIFICATION OF REPORT:
* Telephone reporters will always be told prior to concluding your conversation, whether the information provided has been accepted as a report.
* Fax reporters will only be notified if they request notification in the designated area on the fax reporting form.
Please do not fax multiple allegations of abuse or neglect for multiple families at a time. By submitting them one at a time, they will likely get processed faster.
