Dr. Bill Lewis Center for Children

How to Report Abuse

INDIANA CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT HOTLINE

Phone: 1-800-800-5556 or 1-877-433-0138
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 1-317-234-7595

When making a report, this is the information you need to be prepared to supply to the hotline, or detail in the e-mail or fax:

Name of the child(ren) and family members
Address
Allegations (be specific as to the behavior or evidence seen)
Information regarding the home:
1. Is there domestic violence in the home? How has this impaired the parent's ability to care for or provide a safe environment for their child(ren)?
2. Is there substance use in the home? How has this impaired the parent's ability to care for or provide a safe environment for their child(ren)?
3. Are there pets in the home?
4. Conditions of the home? Provide examples of what was seen, dirty floors, unsafe clutter, feces, mold, etc.
5. Are there mental health issues for any family member? Describe behaviors exhibited and how child(ren) are impacted.

Resources

If you are reporting physical abuse:

Injuries? Size, location. Have you seen them?
What did the child say about the injuries?
Any other explanation given?
Other reports of physical violence?

If you are reporting sexual abuse:

What happened? Who told you?
Where did it occur?
How did the child explain the abuse? (BE SPECIFIC)
Has there been a medical exam?

If you are reporting neglect:

Circumstances - untreated medical care, domestic violence, failure to provide food, shelter, clothing
Describe the specific conditions of the home that make it unsafe
If children are left alone: when, how long, and under what circumstances

Remember that the laws only require reports to be maintained in the CPS system for six months.