DCF Hotline

1-800-962-2873 (1-800-96ABUSE) is a very important number. It may save a child’s life. This is the Florida Abuse Hotline operated by Department of Children and Families (DCF). In Florida, every person is a mandated reporter: “Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, a child is being maltreated by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, must report.” Personnel at the abuse hotline will determine by a series of questions if the report meets the Florida statutory definition of child maltreatment. Unless you are a professional (physicians, mental health professionals, school teachers, social workers or law enforcement) you do not have to provide your name.

What constitutes child maltreatment? The list includes (but is not limited to) burns, bone fractures, internal injuries, sexual abuse, bizarre punishment, mental injury, threatened harm, substance misuse, inadequate supervision, abandonment, medical neglect, and the failure to protect. Once it is determined that an investigation is needed, the local agency responsible for this will be notified, and a team will be dispatched. Great care is taken in gathering the facts to determine if the child is a victim of abuse or is at risk. A variety of interventions may be necessary. And you will be able to sleep knowing you did the right thing. It is better to report and find out that there is nothing wrong than to fail to report and read about in the morning newspaper. These are our children. Let’s keep them safe.