What happens when sexual abuse is reported?
Reporting or being reported for sexually abusing a child can understandably be a scary situation. It can help to know what to expect, or what next steps might look like.
Who can make a sexual abuse report?
Anyone concerned about a child’s safety in any way can make a report to Child Protective Services (CPS) and/or the police. You don’t need “proof” in order to make a report. However, you do want to be able to describe the specific concerns. People who report will be asked what warning signs or situation makes them concerned about a child’s safety. They will also be required to share identifying information about the child they are concerned about. In most instances, reports can be made anonymously.
When anyone becomes aware that a child or youth is being abused in any way a report should be made so that help can be provided to the child so that they are no longer harmed. There are even certain people who are considered mandated reporters because of their jobs. These are usually people like teachers, doctors, daycare providers, social workers, therapists, and some other people. This varies by state, and in some states every adult is considered a mandated reporter. If a child or youth tells a mandated reporter that they are being abused, or if they discover that a child is being abused they are required by law to make a report. Mandated reporters could actually get into legal trouble if they don't report abuse. This is meant to keep youth safe because it means that in their everyday life there are adults around who do know what to do if they or someone they know is being abused.
What if I am making the sexual abuse report?
Making a report about child sexual abuse can be intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our helpline counselors can talk to you more about the process of reporting and help you find the right folks to talk to.
Who take sexual abuse reports?
We don’t investigate or take reports about child sexual abuse ourselves - there are specific agencies in each state who are responsible for that. They are usually called Child Protective Services (CPS), but can also be called Department of Social Services (DSS) or Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) among other names. They take any reports of child abuse and decide whether they are going to investigate it further. For additional information on where to report:
The Child Information Gateway has a helpful page on their site that lists the number to report in each state
ChildHelp provides this Map of CPS hotline numbers in the US.
Sometimes child sexual abuse is also reported to the police - in fact CPS and the police may even work together in some cases. Their cooperation might depend on how old the person is who sexually abused a child, their relationship to the child, and the severity of what happened. Typically if there is a suspicion or evidence that a person who is responsible for the care of a child is abusing them, the report will first go to CPS. Someone can be reported for sexually abusing a child whether they are an adult or a kid themselves.
What happens after a report is taken?
Once CPS or the police get a report about a child being abused, they make a decision about whether they will investigate it further. Sometimes authorities may feel they do not have enough specific information to warrant an investigation at that time. In these cases, the report is taken as “information". It is saved, and if additional reports are made later these additional details could contribute to an investigation.
If CPS investigates there is often a specially trained social worker whose job is to talk with as many people as possible who are aware of the people involved and the situation. This might mean talking to the person who was reported for abuse or risk of abuse, the person who experienced abuse, family members, teachers, doctors, therapists, etc.
If the investigators can document enough evidence that a child is being abused, or is even at great risk of abuse then the first goal will be to assess the child’s immediate safety. During this time they might decide to separate the child from the person who is harming them. There could be criminal charges filed as well. It can get complicated depending on the situation, but at all times the goal should be to guarantee that everyone is safe.
What if I am the one being reported for sexual abuse?
It’s understandable that you might have a lot of questions if you are concerned about being reported for sexually abusive behavior. Our FAQ What will happen to me if I engage in sexually harmful or illegal behaviors? and our blog, “I sexually harmed someone and I am worried about what’s going to happen to me now” can help to answer some of your questions about what the next steps might look like.
Our Helpline counselors are here to support you through this process as well.