Mandated reporters like teachers, nurses, or police officers are required by law to complete a written report with 48 hours of calling to report child abuse or neglect. The written report does not replace the requirement to call first.
- This page, Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter, is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter
Contacts
Report Child Abuse
Phone
Child-at-Risk-Hotline
Call Report Child Abuse , Child-at-Risk-Hotline at 800-792-5200
Call to report child abuse and neglect.
Online
The Details of Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter
What you need for Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter
Mandated reporters must immediately call the DCF area office that serves the city or town where the child lives to report child abuse or neglect. Nights, weekends, and holidays please call the Child-at-Risk Hotline at (800)792-5200. After calling, mandated reporters must submit a written report within 48 hours.
Professionals like teachers, nurses, or police officers whose work brings them in contact with children are mandated reporters. If you don't know if you are a mandated reporter, see the Mandated Reporter Guide.
Online reporting option available:
The written report and supporting documentation can be submitted online. Before submitting, you will need to create or update your Virtual Gateway user account using the "online" option below to get access to the DCF Partner Services application. See the training video on Reporting Child Abuse/Neglect for instructions. The written report can also be submitted via fax or mail.
How to report Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter
Mandated reporters only: After you've called to report the suspected child abuse or neglect, please select the appropriate link below to submit a written report to the DCF area office that serves the city or town where the child lives.
- First time submitting an online written abuse/neglect report? Click here to begin.
- Not the first time submitting an online abuse/neglect written report? Click here to begin.
Fax the completed Child Abuse Reporting Form to the DCF area office that serves the city or town where the child lives.
Mail the completed Child Abuse Reporting Form to the DCF area office that serves the city or town where the child lives.
Downloads for Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter
Open PDF file, 321.76 KB,
Child Abuse Reporting Form
(English, PDF 321.76 KB)
Open DOC file, 1.33 MB,
DCF Mandated Reporter Guide
(English, DOC 1.33 MB)
Open PDF file, 1.79 MB,
Logging into the Virtual Gateway(VG) for DCF Providers and Partners
(English, PDF 1.79 MB)
Contact for Report child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter
Phone
Child-at-Risk-Hotline
Call Report Child Abuse , Child-at-Risk-Hotline at 800-792-5200
Call to report child abuse and neglect.