Reporting suspected abuse is critical to protecting children and getting their families help. Although it may be difficult, frightening, or uncomfortable, making a report could save a child’s life.
Once there is a report, it is the role of child welfare and / or law enforcement professionals to assess the situation and determine a course of action to keep the child safe, create stability for the child and their family, and help ensure the child and family receive the resources or services they need.
If you suspect that a child is being abused, contact your local child welfare agency. Make a confidential report anytime by calling the hotline at 415-558-2650 [San Francisco]or 1-800-4-A-CHILD [National].
You can find the contact number for other local child welfare agencies here.
If there is an emergency or you believe a child or someone in his/her household is in imminent danger, call 911.