How to Report Child Abuse

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Notifying the Authorities

Be prepared to provide the child’s name, address, approximate age and situation. You do not have to leave your name.

Santa Barbara Police Department:
897-2300 – to make a report

Child Protective Services:
(800) 367-0166
(805) 683-2724 or (805) 692-5743 after 5pm, weekends, and holidays

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911

When a call is received by the Police Department, a uniformed police officer is sent to see the victim and conduct an initial investigation.

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The Investigation Process

When a call is received by the Police Department, a uniformed police officer is sent to see the victim and conduct an initial investigation. When appropriate a full investigation is launched.

The police and the County Children’s Protective Services are both concerned with the safety of the child and share information, although they have different responsibilities during the investigation. The police department, for example, concentrates on determining whether or not a criminal offense has been committed. Children’s Protective Services, on the other hand, determine the state of the victim’s well being and the need for civil intervention. This joint effort is believed to be best for the victim.

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Mandated Reporting Procedures for California Law Required Reporters

If you are a Santa Barbara County mandated reporter and you suspect child abuse or neglect, YOU MUST ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:

  • Immediately call Child Welfare Services at:
    (800) 367-0166 Santa Barbara County Hotline
    (805) 683-2724 After Hours
    In the case of an emergency, please call 911
  • Complete and file a Suspected Child Abuse Report, Form #SS8572. The SCAR form and instructions are available here.
  • Retain a legible copy of the SCAR Report.
  • YOU are responsible for making this report. DO NOT ALLOW your supervisor/principal to make the report for you or assume because another co-worker has some of the same information that they will make the report.
  • Do not attempt to investigate, conduct interviews or interfere with the information you hold.
  • Remember that you are to report SUSPECTED abuse—you are not required to have witnessed or have complete proof of the incident. You are obligated by law to report what you observe or what you are told that caused suspicion the child is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected. When in doubt, call CWS or law enforcement and get their input about the scope of your report.
  • 2-1-1 is the phone number for information and referral, crisis intervention and suicide prevention. HelpLine calls are confidential, and are answered by trained, multilingual staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff help provide information, connect, and refer callers to programs that will assist them

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is child abuse?
Child abuse is any person who willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of such child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits such child to be placed in such situation that its person or health may be endangered, or willfully inflicts upon any child any cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or injury resulting in a traumatic condition. See a more detailed definition here.

What is a mandated reporter?
Mandated reporters are professionals who are obligated by law to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect involving child, disabled persons, senior citizens, or other identified vulnerable populations. In general, any person who has contact with children or the elderly in a professional capacity is a mandated reporter, although laws vary from state to state.

If I am a mandated reporter, who do I report to?
There are strict procedures a mandated reporter must follow. Please see Mandated Reporting Procedures for California Law Required Reporters above.

If I am not a mandated reporter, who do I report to?
If you are not a mandated reporter but suspect abuse, call your local police department or child protective services.

Santa Barbara Police Department:
897-2300 – to make a report

Child Protective Services:
(800) 367-0166
(805) 683-2724 or (805) 692-5743 after 5pm, weekends, and holidays

As a reporter, am I protected? Will the family know I called?
Persons reporting actual or suspected child abuse incidents are protected by law from civil liabilities and retaliatory lawsuits, provided the reports are made in good faith and without malicious intent. The identities of the persons making the reports are kept confidential and, in some cases, reports will be accepted anonymously, if necessary.

Reporting is anonymous. In most states, you do not have to give your name when you report child abuse. The suspected child abuser cannot find out who made the report of abuse.

It is a crime for a person to fail to report physical and/or sexual child abuse if that person has a professional/special relationship with the child (i.e., teacher, principal, school official, doctor, medical personnel, psychiatrist, psychologist).

When do I report?
It is better to be safe than sorry. If you suspect child abuse report it.

If you are worried about whether or not something constitutes abuse, call child protective services. Give them all the information you have and they will know what to do next.

Will I break up someone’s home?
The priority in child protective services is keeping children in the home. A child abuse report does not mean a child is automatically removed from the home – unless the child is clearly in danger. Support such as parenting classes, anger management or other resources may be offered first to parents if safe for the child.

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How to Help an Abused or Neglected Child

What should you do if you suspect that a child has been abused? How do you approach him or her? Or what if a child comes to you? It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed and confused in this situation. Child abuse is a difficult subject that can be hard to accept and even harder to talk about.

Just remember, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of an abused child, especially if you take steps to stop the abuse early. When talking with an abused child, the best thing you can provide is calm reassurance and unconditional support. Let your actions speak for you if you’re having trouble finding the words. Remember that talking about the abuse may be very difficult for the child. It’s your job to reassure the child and provide whatever help you can.

Tips for talking to an abused child

Avoid denial and remain calm. A common reaction to news as unpleasant and shocking as child abuse is denial. However, if you display denial to a child, or show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be afraid to continue and will shut down. As hard as it may be, remain as calm and reassuring as you can.

Don’t interrogate. Let the child explain to you in his or her own words what happened, but don’t interrogate the child or ask leading questions. This may confuse and fluster the child and make it harder for them to continue their story.

Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong. It takes a lot for a child to come forward about abuse. Reassure him or her that you take what is said seriously, and that it is not the child’s fault.

Safety comes first. If you feel that your safety or the safety of the child would be threatened if you try to intervene, leave it to the professionals. You may be able to provide more support later after the initial professional intervention.

Persons reporting actual or suspected child abuse incidents are protected by law from civil liabilities and retaliatory lawsuits, provided the reports are made in good faith and without malicious intent. The identities of the persons making the reports are kept confidential and, in some cases, reports will be accepted anonymously, if necessary.

It is a crime for a person to fail to report physical and/or sexual child abuse if that person has a professional/special relationship with the child (i.e., teacher, principal, school official, doctor, medical personnel, psychiatrist, psychologist).

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Recognizing Child Abuse: Warning Signs

Warning signs of child abuse and neglect

  • The earlier child abuse is caught, the better the chance of recovery and appropriate treatment for the child. Child abuse is not always obvious. By learning some of the common warning signs of child abuse and neglect, you can catch the problem as early as possible and get both the child and the abuser the help that they need.
  • Of course, just because you see a warning sign doesn’t automatically mean a child is being abused.

Warning signs of emotional abuse in children

  • Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong.
  • Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive).
  • Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver.
  • Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, tantruming).

Warning signs of physical abuse in children

  • Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.
  • Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen.
  • Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.
  • Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.
  • Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.

Warning signs of neglect in children

  • Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather.
  • Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor).
  • Untreated illnesses and physical injuries.
  • Is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments.
  • Is frequently late or missing from school.

Warning signs of sexual abuse in children

  • Trouble walking or sitting.
  • Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.
  • Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.
  • Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities.
  • An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14.
  • Runs away from home.

Information from Childhelp.

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For More Information

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453) is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada, the Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages. The Hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous and confidential.

What to Expect When Calling

When calling 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453), a qualified counselor will answer and assist your call for reasons such as if you:

  • Need help and want to talk to a counselor
  • Are in physical or emotional crisis and need support and encouragement and to get connected to the best possible resources in your area
  • Have questions about what are the signs of child abuse
  • Find out where to go to report known or suspected abuse
  • Understand the reporting process and what you might expect through the process
  • Learn about Childhelp programs that will address you or your child’s needs
  • Learn about parental rights and responsibilities including grandparent rights
  • Gain emotional support if you are a survivor of abuse
  • Want a referral to an agency, counseling or other services near where you live

National Child Abuse Hotline:

To get help or report abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

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