The first number to think of when you see or suspect a child is in imminent danger is to call 911 and get immediate police involvement. If you are uncertain of whether the circumstances are abusive, or represent past abuse, read the section of Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect.

• Anyone can make a report - while some people are legally mandated to report, you can report suspected abuse regardless of your profession or relationship to the child
• Don't delay - Never assume that someone else will make a report, and don't put off reporting because you're not sure if you should. It is better to make a report and let trained professionals decide what action needs to be taken than risk further harm to the child. The sooner you report, the sooner the child and family can get help.
• Identify the proper reporting agency - If your not sure what agency to call to make the report, look in the front of your phone book for listings under child abuse, Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, or Children, Youth and Family Service. You can also call your local law enforcement agency to get the correct number or if you think the child is in immediate danger.

An easy number to call is Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD®). Their operators are skilled at determining what to do next and they have access to ALL agencies throughout the country in terms of numbers and possibly even patching the call through to the proper local agencies.

Another resource over the phone is the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)) RAINN, as it is known, is a national network of rape crisis centers. It is an automated network that will link your call to the closest rape crisis center to where you are calling from. All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.

A 24 hour-a-day hotline for domestic violence is the National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE (7233)). This organization is staffed by trained volunteers who are ready to connect people with emergency help in their own communities, including emergency shelters and services. They have access to translators for over 150 languages.