Worried a child is being hurt?
You do not have to assess the danger alone. A qualified professional can help you understand reporting and safety options.
Find child-focused support
Talk with a counselor before or alongside any report.
Find official reporting options
Learn how to make a formal child-protection report.
We already asked for help
Concerns remain after a previous report or visit.
In immediate danger, call 911 when it is safe to do so. Choosing any button on this site does not dispatch help or file a report.
Know the difference between these
These are not interchangeable. Consultation does not replace any legal duty to report, and must not delay urgent action.
Support counselor or advocate
Listens, helps you think through options, and explains what might happen next. This is support, not an official report.
Official child-protection report
Made to a state agency that can investigate. This is a formal step with legal processes. Talking to a counselor does not replace any legal duty to report.
Emergency response
Call 911 when someone may be seriously hurt right now. Do not wait for a counselor if there is immediate danger.
Children's Advocacy Center
Coordinates interviews, support, and services for children. A center's name or region does not guarantee it serves your area — confirm directly.
State-specific legal duties require current, authoritative sourcing and review. For Texas, the DFPS requires a reporter's full name and phone number for child-abuse reports.
If a child talks to you
- Listen calmly. Thank them for telling you.
- Avoid leading questions or pressing for details.
- You do not need proof to seek help.
- Do not investigate, repeatedly interview the child, or confront the suspected person.
If it helps to write things down
You do not need a complete timeline before seeking help. This is only a guide for remembering details if you choose to keep notes.
- What you directly saw or heard
- What someone told you
- Approximate dates
- Previous agencies contacted
- Known incident numbers
- New threats, incidents, or changes
Finding the words to ask for help
These are examples to read. You don't have to type anything here, and you don't have to use these exact words.
- "I'm worried about a child. Can you help me understand what to do?"
- "I don't have proof, but I keep seeing things that worry me. Who should I talk to?"
- "Before I share details, can you tell me what you'd have to report?"