What is child abuse and neglect?

When a parent, guardian or custodian inflicts or allows the infliction of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment.

Who Must Report Child Abuse?

Any person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of physical injury, abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense or neglect that appears to have been inflicted on the minor by other than accidental means or that is not explained by the available medical history as being accidental in nature, or who reasonably believes that there has been a denial or deprivation of necessary medical treatment or surgical care or nourishment with the intent to cause or allow the death of an infant who is protected under A.R.S. § 36-2281, shall immediately report or cause reports to be made of this information to a peace officer or to Department of Child Safety, except if the report concerns a person who does not have care, custody or control of the minor, the report shall be made to a peace officer only.

Where can a report be made?

A report can be made to the DCS Statewide Toll-Free Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-767-2445, (1-888-SOS-CHILD) or law enforcement office. When reporting, the following information if known will be requested:

• name, age, and gender of child and other family members
• address, phone numbers, and/or directions to child's home
• parents' place of employment
• description of suspected abuse or neglect
• current condition of the child

IF A CLIENT/PATRON/EMPLOYEE SUSPECTS ABUSE

Arizona Child Abuse Hotline 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445)

A report of suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment is a responsible attempt to protect a child. Arizona law requires certain persons who suspect that a child has received non-accidental injury or has been neglected to report their concerns to DCS or local law enforcement (ARS §13-3620.A). YOU may be a child’s only advocate at the time you report the possibility of abuse or neglect. Children often tell a person with whom they feel safe about abuse or neglect. If a child tells you of such experiences, act to protect that child by calling the toll free Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445). 

If a client/patron approaches a HFSS staff member and asks the staff member to report an abuse, the HFSS staff member will provide that patron with the phone number 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445) and that patron should report it themselves. 

HFSS staff is not responsible for reporting on behalf of the concerned patron. If the staff member feels inclined or has personal suspicions/concerns, that staff member can report. 

HFSS staff may not give out the personal information of another client. The staff member should make a tracking note in the account of both people and the patron giving the report may list you as a person to contact if the DCS agency needs more information. If DCS contacts HFSS, we can give the information as requested.

References: https://dcs.az.gov