4.1
We Act...
by reporting suspected child abuse
How a Report Is Made
When child abuse is suspected in Pennsylvania, a report is made by calling ChildLine, an agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the department's Office of Children, Youth, and Families, which works with counties on child abuse prevention issues.
What Is ChildLine?
The mission of ChildLine is to accept calls from the public and professional sources 24 hours per day, seven days per week. ChildLine will provide information, counseling, and referral services for families and children to ensure the safety and well-being of the children of Pennsylvania.
"If you are a mandated reporter, you MUST call ChildLine to report suspected abuse. However, ANYONE in the state MAY call ChildLine and file a report if abuse is suspected."
— Christina Phillips, director of training, PA Family Support Alliance
ChildLine 1-800-932-0313
Christina Phillips is the director of training at the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance.
ChildLine is Pennsylvania's child abuse hotline and registry operated by the Department of Public Welfare and operates twenty-four hours, seven days a week. If you are a mandated reporter, you MUST call ChildLine to report suspected abuse. However, ANYONE in the state may call ChildLine and file a report if abuse is suspected.
When you call ChildLine, you will speak with a trained ChildLine Caseworker. You should let them know you're calling to make a report of suspected abuse. They will ask how you know the child and for your name and identifying information.
The caseworker will also ask you a series of questions, some of which may include where the child lives, where the suspected abuse occurred, the nature and extent of the suspected child abuse, and the name and relationship of the person or persons responsible for causing the suspected abuse.
It is important to be as specific as possible when describing the injuries or condition of the child. You should provide exact quotes from the child when possible, and you should not make assumptions or elaborate on details.
If you report suspected abuse in good faith, you are protected from civil or criminal liability. As a reporter, your name is kept confidential and is not released to family or most other people.
Fear of retribution should not stop you from calling ChildLine.
HideAll suspected abuse will need to be reported to ChildLine, but that is only one step in the reporting process. In the next section we will review all the steps that need to be taken when making a report.
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