Reporting Laws

There are personal, professional, and legal reasons why professionals and caring citizens should become involved in preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect. Early childhood caregivers, educators, administrators, coaches, early childhood specialists, doctors, nurses, clergy, and neighbors, friends and family members have strong personal commitments to the well being of the children and families they know and serve.

Persons who find themselves in the difficult position of suspecting and filing a report of child maltreatment can take strength from knowing that the law supports such actions. All 50 states have passed some form of a mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting law. (Click here to go to another site with information on the 50 states.)

In the state of Rhode Island, the law is contained within Title 40 of the General Statutes of Rhode Island. (Click here to go to the RI Chapter 40-11 index page.)

In summary, the Rhode Island mandated child abuse and neglect reporting law states that any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child has been abused or neglected as defined in § 40-11-2 or has been a victim of sexual abuse by another child is mandated to, within twenty-four (24) hours, report that information to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).

DCYF has set up a 24 hour hotline to receive such calls. That number is 1-800-RICHILD. Again, that number is 1-800-742-4453.

Please remember, reporting a suspicion of child abuse and neglect is not an accusation. It is simply reporting a concern to the authorities who will make a determination of the situation.

For further information on reporting, on child abuse and neglect indicators, and resource materials call Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island at (401) 728-7920.

ADVOCACY

Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island is committed to promoting legislation, policies and programs that help to prevent child abuse and neglect, support healthy childhood development, and strengthen families.

Advocacy is when you and your friends, family, and colleagues talk with local policy makers about legislation that impacts children and families.

Advocacy is when we work together to obtain and maintain funding for prevention programs.

Advocacy is collaborating with organizations, community leaders and public policy makers on issues related to legislation, programs and services that will prevent child abuse and neglect.

A central theme in child abuse prevention work is the involvement of the whole community. Child abuse is too complex a problem, too ingrained in the ways our communities are organized and our families are structured for any one profession or any one sector of society alone to prevent abuse. Together, we can be the energy required to create change! We can get public support to prevent child abuse and neglect.

GET INVOLVED TODAY!

children need you to protect them