DPPC Hotline: 800-426-9009 or 888-822-0350 TTY

Filing a Report of Abuse

Instances of suspected abuse or neglect must be reported immediately to the DPPC's 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-426-9009 or 1-888-822-0350 TTY. A written report of abuse or neglect must follow within 48 hours of the verbal report to the hotline. Mandated Reporters should not rely on others, such as supervisors or administrators, to file reports for them.

Deaths of persons with disabilities must be reported to DPPC's 24-hour Hotline at

1-800-426-9009 or 1-888-822-0350 TTY. A written report must follow within 48 hours of the verbal report to the hotline. Deaths must be reported regardless of whether abuse or neglect is suspected.

To remind staff of their reporting responsibilities and to encourage reporting, DPPC's poster can be displayed throughout the agency. In addition, to the posters, wallet sized reporting cards are available for staff by contacting the DPPC at (617) 727-6465 or (888) 822-0350 TTY.

Abuse or neglect committed against persons with disabilities might also be a crime. Call your local police immediately if you think a crime, such as an assault and battery, sexual assault, rape or larceny has been committed. In an emergency, contact your local police department by dialing 911.

For reporting suspected abuse and neglect committed against children, elders or persons residing in long-term care facilities contact the following:

Massachusetts Abuse Reporting Numbers

  • Disabled Persons Protection Commission (24 hours / 7 days a week)
    Ages 18 to 59
    1-800-426-9009 or 1-888-822-0350 TTY

  • Executive Office of Elder Affairs (24 hours / 7 days a week)
    Ages 60 and over
    1-800-922-2275

  • Department of Public Health
     All Ages residing in Long Term Care Facilities
    1-800-462-5540

  • Department of Children and Families (24 hours / 7 days a week)
    Birth to age 17
    1-800-792-5200

Information Needed to File a Report of Abuse and/or Neglect

The following information is helpful when filing a report of abuse. DPPC recognizes that it is not always possible to provide all the information, and encourages you to call with whatever information you may have available to you.

Information on the Victim

  • Complete name

  • Date of birth

  • Address

  • Phone number

  • Specifics regarding the victim's disability(ies) and care that is needed

  • Information regarding the victim's competency

  • Name, address and telephone number of guardian if victim has a guardian

  • Identify any state agency that is involved with the victim

  • Current location of the victim

Information on the Abuser

  • Complete name

  • Date of birth

  • Address

  • Phone number

  • Type of care does the abuser provide to the victim

  • Whether the abuser still have access to the victim

Details of the Incident

  • Date of occurrence

  • Location where incident occurred

  • Summary of incident

  • Specifics regarding any injuries

  • Details of any medical treatment that may have been provided

  • Names of any individuals or agencies already notified

Risk Assessment

  • Details of actions taken to protect the victim

  • Information regarding whether abuser still has access to the victim

Other

  • If criminal in nature - whether police were notified - jurisdiction and name of officer

  • If sexual assault - whether victim has been taken for examination and whether evidence has been preserved

  • The names and telephone numbers of any interested parties or witnesses who may be helpful to an investigation