ABUSED CHILDREN

Who do I contact if I think a child is being abused?

Call 911 or 1-800-331-1585. Physical abuse and other forms of abuse are a crime. A law enforcement officer and CWS emergency response worker are available 24 hours a day to respond to reports of child abuse/neglect. Public and private individuals may contact the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-331-1585 to make referrals of suspected child abuse. The referrals are evaluated as to risk and response time.

What other numbers can I call?

Other reporting numbers to call are:

• CWS Visalia – 559-737-6329
• CWS Porterville – 559-78-1100
• CWS Dinuba – 559-591-4061
• CWS Tulare – 559-685-4725

What actions are considered "child abuse"?

Child abuse includes the physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment or neglect of a child by a parent, guardian or caregiver resulting in physical injury or emotional and/or psychological harm to the child. Both boys and girls are at risk, as well as children and young people who are physically and developmentally challenged.

There are families in our communities from many different cultural backgrounds. Keep in mind that what has been tolerated in another country may be defined as abuse in the United States.