Reporting Spouse, Child, Elder Abuse

If you suspect abuse…who should you call?

Spouse Abuse

• Provost Marshall Office: (910) 396-0391
• Womack AMC Department of Social Work: (910) 907-7869
• Victim Advocate Hotline: (910) 396-5521 / 4175 / 1519
• Cumberland County CARE Center: (910) 323-4187
• Victim Advocate 24-Hour Hotline: (910) 322-3418
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Elder/Child

• Law Enforcement
• Womack AMC Department of Social Work: (910) 907-7869
• Cumberland County Department of Social Services: (910) 677-2450
• Child Advocacy Center: (910) 486-9700
• DSS/Adult Services:  (910) 677-2450

Before you make a call…make sure you have:

• Specific incidents that precipitated the report.
• Dates and description of the injuries / dangers
• Identities of the perpetrators) and their relationship to the victim
• Any witnesses to the incident’s) and how they may be reached.
• Any statements from the child / location of the child.

REPORTING OPTIONS

Restricted Reporting:  Allows adult victims of domestic abuse, who are eligible to receive treatment, to report an incident:

• Victim Adovocates
• Victim Advocate Coordinator
• Healthcare providers    

Without initiating the investigate process.

Benefits of Restricted Reporting:

• Victims decide when to report
• Victims receive appropriate health care and advocacy services
• Victims are afforded space and time to make informed decisions.
• Victims control the release and management of personal information.

Limitations:

• The abuser is not held accountable and may commit further abuse
• The victim and abuser may continue to have contact
• Crime scene evidence will be lost
• Military and civilian protection orders are unavailable
• Some situations may be dangerous, so restricted reporting is not possible.

Unrestricted Reporting: is available for victims who desire an official investigation of their allegation.

*When there is an imminent threat of harm a report may have to be made. If you are worried about privacy, you may call and not give your name and still obtain helpful information.