Child abuse defined by Florida State Statute 827.03, is
Intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child; An intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child; or active encouragement of any person to commit an act that results or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child.
Florida Abuse Hotline
If you suspect or know of a child or vulnerable adult in immediate danger, call 911
Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare is a mandatory reporter. § 39.201(1)(a), Florida Statutes.
The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day and 7 days a week of known or suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and reports of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. To make a report you can –
- Report online on the FL Department of Children and Families website.
- Call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
- Press 1 to report suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child
- Press 2 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly or a vulnerable adult
- Press 3 to verify the identity of a child protective investigator who recently visited you
- Press 4 for information/referrals to other services in your local area.
- Florida Relay 711 or TTY 800-955-8771
- Fax your report to 800-914-0004
Be prepared to provide the following information:
- Reporter name (this is required for professionally mandated reporters)
- Victim name, possible responsible person, or alleged perpetrator name(s)
- Complete addresses for subjects, including a numbered street address, apartment or lot number, city, state, and zip code and/or directions to their location
- Telephone numbers, including area code
- Estimated or actual dates of birth
- Social Security numbers, if available
- A brief, yet concise, description of the abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, including physical, mental or sexual injuries, if any.
- Names of other residents and their relationship to the victim(s), if available
- A brief description of the victim’s disability or infirmity (required for vulnerable adults)
- The relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the victim
