Yes, you’re supposed to report suspected child abuse and neglect in NC. Here’s how.
.jpg "You don’t need to have actual proof of suspected child abuse or neglect to report it.")
You don’t need to have proof of child abuse or neglect to report it.
All you need is a reasonable suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred.
Child abuse is “the intentional maltreatment of a child and can be physical, sexual, or emotional in nature,” the N.C. Division of Social Services states. Neglect is “the failure to give children the necessary care they need.”
State law requires adults to protect children in such cases. Anyone who “knowingly or wantonly fails to report or who knowingly or wantonly prevents another person from reporting is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor,” according to the N.C. State University Department of Risk Assessment.
There are roughly 315,000 children in Wake County, according to NC Child. In 2021, about 14.4 per 1,000 children were evaluated for possible abuse or neglect, up from 13.1 per 1,000 children in 2020.
Reporting child abuse in Wake County
County social services agencies around the state handle thousands of reports every year. The numbers typically drop in the summer when children are out of school — and out of sight — of teachers and counselors.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers, educators and medical staff made up the majority of those who report suspected abuse and neglect. Reports dropped significantly at the height of the pandemic, which experts feared allowed many cases to fall through the cracks.
How can I make a report? In Wake County, any adult who suspects child abuse or neglect can call 919-212-7990 (English) or 919-212-7963 (Spanish). You’ll need to state the child and their family’s names, the child’s age, location, and what makes you suspicious.
You do not need to give your name or any of your personal information to make a report.
Calls can be made during the county’s regular business hours Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On the weekends, holidays, or after business hours, call 911. Say you want to make a CPS report, and a dispatcher will connect you to an after-hours social worker.
What are the latest statistics? In fiscal 2020-21 Wake County Child Welfare received 7,659 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect, according to an annual report.
Roughly 62% of those reports led to an in-person assessment, and 27% of those found maltreatment, the report stated.
Forty percent of the maltreatment cases were closed because the children and families got immediate assistance and did not need ongoing help. Another 36% of cases led to in-home services, where the child could remain in the home.
The 2021 report stated 213 children were removed from their homes due to safety concerns and placed in the home of a relative, close friend or a licensed foster care family. When this happens, Child Welfare workers are required to see the children in person once a month.
What happens after I make the report?
When your report meets the criteria, an in-person assessment will be conducted of the child and their family within 24 hours for abuse and 72 hours for neglect.
The assessment includes a home visit and interviews to determine if child abuse and neglect are present, if the child is safe, and to coordinate the family with supportive services.
Families most frequently work with the county’s Child Protective Services to receive services in the form of counseling, emergency foster care, help with basic needs, parenting classes, and intensive in-home services.
You’ll get a written notice of whether your report meets the state criteria. If you disagree with the decision, you can request a review by a Child Protective Services supervisor or make another report if more information is available.
What if I am not satisfied with the results of the assessment? Contact a CPS director by completing an online complaint form or by calling 919-212-7155.
Still not satisfied? Call the state Division of Social Services’ Child Welfare Policy Consultation Team at 919-527-6340.
What does child abuse and neglect look like?
Experts warn that some signs that could signal child abuse and neglect could mean anything or nothing at all. Be careful in recognizing a cluster of two or more signs that raise a red flag to at least talk to a parent or their child.
Child abuse can also include human trafficking, or the trade of children for forced labor, sexual slavery, or sexual exploitation. However, the state notes that issues solely related to poverty are not considered child abuse issues.
What are some signs to look for? According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, child abuse can look like
- Sudden changes in behavior or school performance
- Overt sexual behavior or exhibiting sexual knowledge that is inconsistent with their age
- No medical attention for a physical injury that has been brought to the parent’s attention
- Learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
- Being watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
- Overly compliant, an overachiever or too responsible
- Coming to school early, staying late and not wanting to go home
- Having unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes
- Having bruises or marks in non-prominent, “fleshy” areas of the body (for example, inside of biceps or behind the knees)
- Having fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
- Seeming frightened of their parents and protest or cry when it is time to go home from school
- Shrinking at the approach of adults
- Reporting injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
What about signs in parents or caregivers? Signs of a neglecting or abusive adult can include:
- Little concern for the child, rarely responding to the school’s requests for information, conferences or home visits
- Denying the existence of or blames the child for problems in school or at home
- Asking the classroom teacher to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
- Seeing the child as entirely bad, worthless or burdensome
- Demanding perfection, or a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
- Offering conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child’s injury
- Describing the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way
- Abusing alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs, and that abuse is hurting the child
- Using harsh physical discipline with the child
- Having a history of abuse as a child
Where can I find more information?
Wake County has information on reporting cases and for families who are reported at wake.gov/departments-government/health-human-services.
Information also can be found at the state Department of Health and Human Services at ncdhhs.gov.
This story was originally published December 22, 2023 at 5:40 AM.