If you suspect someone is at risk for child abuse and neglect…

…do not hesitate to take action.  Visit Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect to help you identify if someone may be in danger.  The following are some commonly asked questions.

Who Should Report Abuse? 
How Do I Report Child Abuse and Neglect?
What Kinds of Information Will I Need To Provide?
What If I’m Not Sure? 
What Happens Following My Report? 
Will The Police Get Involved? 
Will The Family Find Out Who Made The Report? 
Will I Need To Testify In Court? 

Who Should Report Abuse?
Anyone may report a suspected case of child abuse.  By law, mandated reporters must report possible child abuse and neglect cased to Child Welfare Services (CWS) / Child Protective Services (CPS) or the Police Department immediately.  The State of Hawaii Child Welfare Service’s “ A Guideline for Mandated Reporters” indentifies mandated reporters as:

(1) Licensed or registered professionals of the healing arts and any health-related occupation who examine, attend, treat, or proved other professional or specialized services, including but not limited to physicians (including physicians in training), psychologist, dentists, nurses, osteopathic physicians and surgeons, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, pharmacists, and other health-related professionals.
(2) Employees or officers of any public or private school
(3) Employees or officers of any public or private agency or institution, or other individuals, providing social, medical, hospital, or mental health services, including financial assistance
(4) Employees or officers of any law enforcement agency, including but not limited to the courts, police departments, correctional institution, and parole or probation officers
(5) Individual providers of child care, or employees or officers of any licensed or registered child care facility, foster home, or similar institution
(6) Medical examiners or coroners
(7) Employees of any public or private agency providing recreational or sports activities

Call Child Welfare Services (CWS) / Child Protective Services (CPS) to discuss the appropriateness of referrals if you’re not sure.

How Do I Report Child Abuse and Neglect?
To report child abuse and neglect, contact Child Welfare Services (CPS) / Child Protective Services (CPS) or the Police Department.  This may be done anonymously.  The police will investigate the suspected crime, and social service agencies will assess the risk to the child.  You will need to report the signs and symptoms of maltreatment that you observe, as well as provide the child’s name and the name of the person believed to be responsible for the abuse (if you know it).  It is very helpful to give your own name and phone number however this report can also be done anonymously.

Emergencies:  If you believe the child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Child Welfare Services (CWS) / Child Protective Services (CPS):
Oahu: 808-832-5300
Outside of Oahu: 1-800-494-3991

What Kinds of Information Will I Need To Provide?
The social worker will want to obtain as much of the following information as possible before referring the matter for investigation:
• Name and address of the child victim and his/her parents or other persons responsible for his/her care;
• Child’s birth date or age;
• Names and ages of other persons who live with the child and their relationship to the child if known;
• Nature and extent of the child’s abuse or neglect (including any evidence or indication of previous abuse or neglect);
• Date, time, and location of incident;
• Child’s current location and condition;
• Identity of the alleged perpetrator;
• Whereabouts of the alleged perpetrator and any history if available;
• Any other information that may be helpful in determining the cause of abuse or neglect and whether or not there is a family member who can protect the child.

What If I’m Not Sure?
You can consult with the Department of Human Services regarding your concerns or observations.  You need not be prepared to prove that abuse or neglect has occurred before making a report.  If the child has shared information with you about the abuse/neglect, this is enough for you to call.  Except for medical situations where history taking includes asking relevant questions to determine the appropriate kinds of tests or examination needed, the preference is that you make a referral immediately once the information is shared with you.  Since the social worker may need to interview the child, it is our goal that the child not be subjected to numerous interviews about his/her abusive of neglectful situation by different people.

What Happens Following My Report?
If the report is accepted for investigation, a social worker will be assigned to investigate the referral to determine if the child has been harmed or is at risk of harm.  The worker will gather as much information as possible by talking to the child, family members and if necessary, others in the community.  Within sixty days of the date the report is assigned for investigation, a decision must be made whether the report is confirmed or not.  You will be contacted regarding the disposition of your report.

Will The Police Get Involved?
A report of suspected child abuse or neglect or substantial risk of child abuse or neglect must be made to the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Services or to the police.  Depending on the circumstances of the report and harm to the child, the police may become involved either at the request of the department or by a determination by the police that they need to take immediate action and/or conduct an investigation.

Will The Family Find Out Who Made The Report?
The Department makes every reasonable effort to maintain the confidentiality of a reporter who requests that his/her name not be released.  Anyone reporting in good faith is immune from liability.

Will I Need To Testify In Court?
If the social worker finds that legal intervention is necessary as a means of helping the child and family, a petition will be prepared and filed in Family Court (civil proceeding).  We may need your testimony if we believe it is necessary in order to establish the court's jurisdiction to protect a child from abuse or neglect.  Contact is usually made by the social worker or a representative from the Department of the Attorney General who will provide information regarding the type of testimony needed and the date and time of the court proceedings and other information you may need to know. The Department of Human Services may contact you in order to prepare you further for the proceedings.