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Report Child Abuse

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

If a child’s life is in danger, you should call 911. Otherwise, call the statewide Child Abuse Hotline: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) to report child abuse. Suspicion is enough to call the hotline – you don’t have to have evidence or proof to make a call. Hotline screeners are trained to help guide you through the process.

Discovering that a child you care about has been abused can be devastating. You may feel overwhelmed, wondering where to begin on getting help and support for your loved one.

If a child makes a disclosure:

• Remain calm, be patient, and try not to rush the child. Being the trusted adult, overreacting can frighten your child or prevent your child from sharing their story. Don’t make judgments or conclusions about the child or make negative comments about the abuser.
• Emphasize that your child did the right thing by telling. Say, “I’m proud of you.” “I believe you.”

Report abuse and concerning injuries immediately to one of the agencies below:

Call 911 – Law Enforcement
Call 855-503-SAFE (7233) – Oregon Statewide Abuse Reporting Line

Mandatory Reporters

Oregon state law mandates that workers in certain professions must make reports if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect. These individuals are required to report because they have frequent contact with at-risk populations – infants and children, people who are elderly or dependent, individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities, and residents of nursing homes and other health care facilities. See below for a partial list of public or private officials who are mandatory reporters.

Making a report can be anonymous, yet we highly encourage callers to provide their name and relationship to the child/family. It is not your job to determine if child abuse did or did not happen. Your report is a request for an assessment to be made by either a CPS case worker or a law enforcement officer.

List of Mandatory Reporters

• Attorney
• Coach, assistant coach or trainer of an amateur, semiprofessional or professional athlete
• Certified provider of child care or foster care or their employees
• Chiropractor
• Clergymen or clergywomen
• Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
• Dentists
• Firefighters or emergency medical technician
• Licensed clinical social worker
• Licensed practical nurses or registered nurse
• Licensed professional counselor
• Naturopathic physician
• Optometrist
• Peace officer
• Pharmacist
• Physician
• Psychologist
• School employee
• State or county employee

For a current and complete list of public or private officials who are mandatory reporters please refer to Oregon Revised Statute 419B.005 or visit Mandatory Reporting for Oregon.

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