If you suspect someone under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected or is at risk for abuse or neglect, you should make a report to your local Child Protective Services (CPS) office.

How to make a report

Offices within local communities are responsible for receiving and investigating reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. Reports are received by DCYF Child Welfare Intake staff; reports are assessed to determine whether the concern of allegation meets the legal definition of abuse or neglect and how dangerous the situation is.

Find your local intake number to report abuse or neglect here or call the statewide hotline at 1-866-363-4276

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 911

Information to Include:
Please take a moment before calling to put together as much of the following information as possible:

1. The child’s full legal name, address and date of birth.
2. The name and address of the child’s parent, guardian or other persons having custody of the child.
3. The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect.
4. Any evidence of previous incidences.
5. Any other information which may be helpful in establishing the cause of the child’s abuse or neglect and the identity of the perpetrator.

You do not need to have all of the above information when you call to make a report, but the more accurate information you can provide, the better equipped the offices will be to assess the child’s safety.

Even if you are not a mandated reporter under state law, you have an obligation to protect children in your community. You cannot be held liable for making a report in good faith. You do not have to know for sure that a child is being abused or neglected to make a report. A trained investigator will make that determination.

Find out more about Mandatory Reporting in Washington

• Washington State’s Mandatory Reporter Toolkit
• Mandated Reporter Training E-Learning
• Mandated Reporter Poster
• Washington State Attorney General Website
• Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families Website