Reporting Abuse

To report abuse or suspected abuse, call Licking County Children Services at (740) 670-8888.

What information do I need to make a report?

1. The name and address of the child you suspect is being abused or neglected.
2. The age of the child.
3. The name and address of the parents or caretakers.
4. The name of the person you suspect is abusing or neglecting the child and the address, if available.
5. The reason you suspect the child is being abused and neglected.
6. Any other information which may be helpful to the investigation.
7. You have the option of giving your name or reporting anonymously.  Giving your name can help the investigator clarify information.  The agency will not give your name to the person suspected of abusing the child.​

Please Note: All of the above information is not needed to make a report.  If you are not sure you have enough information to report, always err on the safety of the child. Children services screens all reports to determine if there is enough information to investigate.
Retrieved from Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

What happens after a report is made? 
In Ohio, after a report is made:

1. A child protective services investigator will interview the child, family members, and others as deemed appropriate.
2. The investigator determines if the child is being abused or is at risk for abuse.
3. The case may be referred to local social service agencies, or to juvenile, family, or criminal court.

What is a mandated reporter?
A mandated reporter is someone who is required by law to report if they suspect or know that child abuse if occurring.  A list of mandated reporters for Ohio includes: 

• Attorneys
• Audiologists
• Childcare workers
• Children Services personnel
• Clergy
• Coroners
• Daycare personnel
• Dentists
• Nurses
• Physicians, including hospital interns and residents
• Podiatrists
• Psychiatrists
• School authorities, employees, and teachers
• Social Workers
• Speech Pathologists
• Animal Control Officers/Agents

Retrieved from Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Stresses of Reporting Abuse

There are many reasons why people do not report abuse:

• Many reporters have received little or no training about the symptoms of abused children.  They are uncomfortable making such a serious accusation without more background in the field of child abuse and neglect.
• Some people are afraid of retaliation or being sued.
• Some religious leaders are unwilling to have the state determine their role and function as a religious professional and want to protect their relationship with a congregant from incursion by the state.
• Treatment professionals may see the reporting process as a sign their treatment has failed, or as a violation of confidentiality.
• Reporters may be reluctant to go through “bureaucratic red tape,” or feel it will do nothing to help the family.
•  Over-identification with the family may lead to non-reporting because the mandatory reporter feels sorry for them.
• A previous report may not have been handled as the reporter thought appropriate; therefore, the reporter decides not to make any more reports.

Although all of the above feelings are valid, they focus on something other than the protection of the child in danger. 

A late report or a report that is not made may place a child’s life in jeopardy.  
In Ohio, 764 children died from child abuse or neglect from 2001 to 2010.  
In 2010, 83 children died from child abuse and neglect in Ohio.  
Data from Every Child Matters: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in America.