Reports of child abuse and neglect can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling the New York State Central Register (SCR) Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline. All calls are confidential. The SCR relays calls to ACS to begin an investigation when appropriate. When making a report, you will be asked for the following information:

• the name and address of the child and family members
• the child's age, sex, and primary language
• the nature and extent of the child's injuries
• the type of abuse or neglect, including evidence of prior history of maltreatment of the child or siblings
• any additional information that may be helpful.  

Call the NYS Central Register Child Abuse & Maltreatment Hotline to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

General Public: 1-800-342-3720.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Mandated Reporters: 1-800-635-1522 (Learn More )

If you are a Mandated Reporter, you are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

If you need information or help, call: Prevention Information and Parent Helpline at 1-800-342-7472. The Helpline is a program of Prevent Child Abuse NY   

Important!
All allegations of abuse or neglect must be called in to this Hotline. ACS cannot accept calls directly, nor can allegations be accepted by e-mail. Please note that false reporting is a crime.

Studies have shown that neighbors can reduce violence and crime in a community simply by increasing their awareness and working together. Similarly, neighbors can help stop child abuse and neglect.

Here are some things you can do to make children and families safe and secure in your neighborhood:

Understand the causes and effects of abuse and neglect. If you know a parent who is under stress, encourage them to seek help. To locate a parenting program that can provide guidance and support, call the Prevention Information and Parent Helpline at 1-800-342-7472. The Helpline is a program of Prevent Child Abuse NY  

Learn to identify the warning signs of child abuse and neglect. Abuse can include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Neglect is the failure by a caretaker to provide a child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, or emotional support.

To learn more, call ACS's Division of Neighborhood Based Services (NBS) at 212-341-3060 and ask for a copy of the Parents' Guide to New York State Child Welfare Laws. NBS can also send a representative to speak in your community about child abuse and neglect.

Report any known or suspected case that you observe. Reporting abuse can protect children from further harm and help a family address its problems. All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.

For information regarding the Abandoned Infant Protection Act about when and where a person may responsibly leave an infant, please call this hotline number: 866-505-SAFE (7233).