Reporting child abuse
Any person may make a suspected child abuse report.
To report child abuse
In cases of an immediate emergency, always call 9-1-1 for Law Enforcement intervention. Where the situation is not an emergency needing the police, reports should be made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 24-hour Hotline: 1-833-SCC-KIDS (833-722-5437)
Learn more about child abuse reporting
The Department of Family and Children Services operates a Child Abuse and Neglect Center (CANC) which screens calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Screening Social Workers answer the telephone, in the office, from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and after 9:45 p.m., an overnight shift takes over this function. After 6 p.m. there may only be one person on duty and your call may go to voice mail to be returned as soon as possible in the order received by the CANC.
Child abuse reporting guidelines
Guidelines for Mandated Reports
- Social Services Agency - Information for Mandated Reporters
- When to contact Child Protective Services in domestic violence cases (Reviewed and current as of 12/2014)
- When you must report Consensual Sexual Activity involving minors (Reviewed and current as of 12/2014)
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law, 2013
- Child Abuse Mandated Reporter's Training (Free On-line Training)
- Child Abuse Reporting Guidelines for Sexual Activity Between and with Minors (Reviewed and current as of 12/2014)
- The California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law Issues and Answers for Mandated Reporters 6/2012
- Juvenile Dependency Process
- Mandated Reporting of Child Maltreatment Developments
- Reporting Law for School Administrators 2013
- AB 1432, Gatto. Mandated Child Abuse Reporting: School Employees: Training
- AB 2560, Bonilla. Teacher Credentialing: Applications: Child Abuse Reporting
- Santa Clara County Abuse and Neglect Complaints