Reporting Child Abuse

Any person may make a Suspected Child Abuse Report.

Certain people are Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and must make a report regarding any reasonable suspicion of Child Abuse. Mandated Reporter Resources are available online. Non Mandated Reporters are encouraged to make suspected child abuse reports.

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 in the following areas:

• Santa Clara County 24-hour Hotline: 1-833-SCC-KIDS (833-722-5437)
• San Jose Area: (408) 299-2071
• Gilroy/Morgan Hill Area: (408) 683-0601
• Palo Alto Area: (650) 493-1186

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.

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
• Duty to Assess Maternal Substance Abuse
• Juvenile Dependency Process
• Mandated Reporting of Child Maltreatment Developments
• Child Abuse Reporting and You
• Reporting Law for School Administrators 2013
  • Power Point
• 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