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Family Services / Child Protective Services / Report Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect can happen in families and in places where children receive care or services, such as schools, day care centers, residential facilities and sports or recreation programs. Everyone can help keep children safe and healthy by recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS).
Your report of suspected abuse is a step toward safety, healing, and hope. If you are considering making a report, remember:
The Virginia Department of Social Services operates a CPS Hotline 24/7 to support local departments of social services by receiving reports of child abuse and neglect and referring them to the appropriate local department of social services. The CPS Hotline is staffed by trained Protective Services Hotline Specialists.
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call your local department of social services or the Virginia Department of Social Services' 24-hour, toll-free CPS Hotline at (800) 552-7096.
CPS Hotline staff may provide general information and educational materials about child abuse or neglect to callers from the general public, child care providers, school educators and medical professionals on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
CPS will respond to valid child abuse or neglect reports by conducting a family assessment or an investigation. The goals of both responses are to assess the child’s safety, support the family when possible and prevent future child abuse or neglect.
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs |
|---|---|
|
Unexplained bruises or burns on face, torso, back, buttocks, or thighs |
Says caregiver caused injury |
| Injuries at different healing stages | Wears clothes to hide injuries |
| Marks shaped like belts or cords; human bite marks | Afraid to go home |
|
Unexplained broken bones or cuts |
Very withdrawn or aggressive |
|
Always hungry |
Acts like a parent |
|
Abandoned |
Avoids being touched |
| Poor hygiene |
May run away often |
| Medical needs unmet |
Says no one is home |
| Lack of supervision | Begs for or steals food |
| Always tired | |
| Stays at school longer | |
| Avoided by other kids |
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs |
|---|---|
|
Headaches or stomach aches |
Acts younger than age |
| Sudden weight changes | Very passive or aggressive |
| Speech or learning problems | Emotional delays |
| Developmental delays | Cruel to others or animals |
| Failure to thrive | Uses drugs or alcohol |
| Eating disorders |
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs |
|---|---|
| Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) or pregnancy | Says sexual abuse occurred |
| Pain or itching in private areas | Sexualized play |
| Torn or bloody underwear | Knows more about sex than is normal for their age |
| Bruises near private parts | Delinquent behaviors |
| Self-harming | |
| Eating disorders | |
| Grades drop |
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Signs |
|---|---|
|
Signs of physical, mental, or sexual abuse |
No access to ID or travel documents |
| Looks tired from long work hours | Cannot speak for themselves or doesn’t speak English |
| Not allowed to talk alone | |
| Controlled by someone else | |
| Works long hours for little or no pay | |
| Refuses to cooperate or gives false info | |
| Not in school or big gaps in education | |
| Fearful and distrustful of authority | |
| May have engaged in prostitution or sex acts |
All reports are confidential.
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