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It
is important for every person to take child abuse and neglect seriously, to be
able to recognize when it happens, and to know what to do next. Care enough to
call the state's child abuse hotline:
1-800-25-ABUSE
(Illinois) | 1-800-358-5117
(TTY) | 217-524-2606
(outside Illinois) | WHAT
ARE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT? Hotline
social workers this year will handle nearly 125,000 reports of child abuse
and neglect. Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child under the age of 18 by
a parent, caretaker, someone living in their home or someone who works with or
around children. The mistreatment must cause injury or must put the child at risk
of physical injury. Child abuse can be physical (such as burns or broken bones),
sexual (such as fondling or incest) or emotional. Neglect
happens when a parent or responsible caretaker fails to provide adequate supervision,
food, clothing, shelter or other basics for a child. WHEN
SHOULD I CALL THE HOTLINE? You
should call the child abuse hotline whenever you believe that a person who is
caring for the child, who lives with the child, or who works with or around children
has caused injury or harm or put the child at risk of physical injury as defined
in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Some examples include:
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If you see someone hitting a child with an object.
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If you see marks on a child's body that do not appear to have been caused by accident.
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If a child tells you that he or she has been harmed by someone.
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If a child appears to be undernourished, is dressed inappropriately for the weather,
or is young and has been left alone.
These
are a few situations when you should call the hotline. Use your own judgement
and call the hotline whenever you think a child has been abused or neglected.
WHEN
SHOULD I NOT CALL THE HOTLINE? Some
situations do not require calling the hotline. Use good judgement. Call only when
you think a child has been or will be injured as described above. Some examples
of when you should not call the hotline include: - Situations
where a child is causing a problem that concerns you, but the problem is not related
to abuse or neglect. In some cases you may wish to call law enforcement or talk
to the child's parents or relatives.
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Domestic situations where family stress is evident, but the child has not been
abused or at risk of abuse. Community service agencies are often available to
help.
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If you're seeking information about DCFS or its programs, our Office of Communications
is available to answer questions. Call (217)785-1700, or you may call your local
DCFS office.
WHAT
SHOULD I REPORT? Hotline
staff are social workers with special training in determining what constitutes
child abuse and neglect under Illinois law. Details are important. Ideally, you
should be able to tell the Hotline worker: -
The child's name, address and age.
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The nature of the suspected abuse or neglect, including when and where it occurred.
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The names of suspected perpetrators and their relationship to the child (parent,
teacher, etc.).
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Any other information you think may help.
WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN I CALL THE HOTLINE? When
you call, a hotline social worker will listen to what you wish to report. The
worker will then ask questions to help gather enough information to determine
whether to take a formal report. If there is not enough information to make a
report, the worker will tell you so and answer any questions you may have. If
a formal report is taken, a child protection investigator will begin the investigation
within 24 hours -- much sooner if the child is considered in immediate risk of
harm. HOW
AM I PROTECTED? People
who report alleged child abuse or neglect in good faith cannot be held liable
for damages under criminal or civil law. In addition, their names are
not given to the person they name as the abuser or to anyone else unless ordered
by a hearing officer or judge. Members of the general public may make reports
without giving their names. SHOULD
I CALL THE POLICE? Always
call the child abuse hotline. However, you should also consider calling the police
-- especially in emergencies or when the child has been injured. HOW
ELSE CAN I HELP? The
Illinois income tax check-off program enables anyone to donate to the Child Abuse
Prevention Fund when they file their state income tax returns. The money is used
to support community-based family education programs designed to help parents
improve their parenting skills and to help them learn how to cope with family
life. DCFS
also offers a wide variety of volunteer programs for people wanting to serve their
communities. Call your local DCFS office for details, or write to the Office of
Volunteer Services, 406 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62701. FOR
MANDATED REPORTERS ONLY
WHO
ARE MANDATED REPORTERS? Members
of the general public may report suspected child abuse and neglect if they choose.
However, state law mandates that workers in certain professions must make reports
if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect. Mandated reporters
include: -
Medical Personnel: Physicians, psychiatrists, surgeons, residents, interns, dentists,
dentist hygienists, medical examiners, pathologists, osteopaths, coroners, Christian
Science practitioners, chiropractors, podiatrists, registered and licensed practical
nurses, emergency medical technicians, substance abuse treatment personnel, hospital
administrators and other personnel involved in the examination, care or treatment
of patients.
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School and Child Care Personnel: Teachers, school personnel, educational advocates
assigned to a child pursuant to the School Code, truant officers, directors and
staff assistants of day care centers and nursery schools, and child care workers.
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Law Enforcement: Truant officers, probation officers, law enforcement officers,
and field personnel of the Department of Corrections.
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State Agencies: Field personnel from the Departments of Children and Family Services,
Public Health, Public Aid, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Corrections,
Human Rights, Rehabilitation Services. Also includes supervisors and administrators
of general assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code.
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Others: Social workers, social service administrators, substance abuse treatment
personnel, domestic violence program personnel, crisis line or hotline personnel,
foster parents, homemakers, recreational program or facility personnel, registered
psychologists and assistants working under the direct supervision of a psychologist,
members of the clergy.
Mandated
reporters who make good faith reports have the same immunity from liability under
the law as non-mandated reporters. However, a mandated reporter's failure to report
suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to DCFS constitutes a Class A misdemeanor;
simply reporting suspicions to a superior does not satisfy legal requirements. HOW
SHOULD MANDATED REPORTERS MAKE REPORTS? Call
the child abuse hotline as soon as possible. Then you must send written confirmation
to the appropriate DCFS field office within 48 hours. The Department will provide
a form to use when sending this confirmation. If you suspect a child's death may
have been caused by abuse or neglect, you must also call your county's coroner
or medical examiner. NOTICE Any
person who knowingly transmits a false report to the Department commits the offense
of disorderly conduct under subsection (a)(7) of Section 26-1 of the Criminal
Code of 1961. A first violation of this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable
by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000,
or by both such term and fine. A second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony.
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