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Child Safety

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Child Safety

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​​​Reporting Child Abuse

Reports are made by phone to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Suspicion of abuse is all that is necessary to report. Reports are confidential. If known, provide the child's name, age, address, gender, school attended (if possible), and names of parents. You will be asked to describe your concerns for the child including observations and statements made by the child.​​​ ​​

​​​​​Child Abuse in Oregon

The first step toward helping is to recognize signs of child abuse. Children often can’t or won’t speak up if their parents, caregivers, or third-party individuals are abusing them. They rely on you and others in the community to recognize when something isn’t right and to act upon your suspicions in order to​ help protect them.

Warning signs include: 

  • Phy​sical signs present on the child 
  • Behavioral signs or statements made by the child, or
  • Behavioral signs or statements made by the parent or ​caregiver. 

Any single concern may or may not mean that abuse is occurring. But observing any of these indicators –– especially when more than one is present –– should prompt you to think about what might be happening and report your suspicions.​

Oregon’s children are relying on you and others in the community to observe, recognize and report concerns of child abuse. 

For more information: 

What You Can Do About Child Abuse Guide​

​Prevention and Resources

​Families often come in contact with ODHS Child Welfare because they need help. Some partner organizations are listed here:

​​FAQs​

  • What is child abuse?
  • What happens after I call?​
  • Who is a mandatory reporter?
  • How do I contact a local Child Welfare office?
  • Can I access my case records? 

See the complete list of FAQs

Hotline Quick Reference Card