Resources for Professionals and Community Organizations

IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS BEING HURT OR KNOW A CHILD WHO NEEDS HELP IN FLORIDA, PLEASE CALL THE ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873 OR TDD: 1-800-453-5145). You can also fax a report to 1-800-914-0004, or submit a report online.

These reporting systems are provided for your convenience to report non-emergency concerns of abuse and/or neglect. An emergency situation occurs when a child appears to face immediate risk of abuse/neglect that is likely to result in death or serious harm (without intervention). If your concerns meet the definition of an emergency situation: FIRST, call 911, SECOND contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. DO NOT fax or submit a web report.

Making a report is required to get the child and family help. Abused children (and families) can and do heal!

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Resources

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Neglect

How to Handle Disclosures of Abuse and Neglect

Reporting Child Abuse - General Information

Role of Community Based Organizations in Protecting Children from Abuse

Additional Safety and Prevention Resources and Links

Violence Prevention from the CDC - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent page on Violence Prevention that covers Child Maltreatment, Youth Violence, Bullying, Principles of Prevention and many other topics that relate to violence, its effects and prevention techniques.
American Academy of Pediatrics - This website contains information on child health and mental health issues such as autism, obesity, and stress. Contains links to various journals and periodicals for professional education, and information on getting involved with advocating for children.
Child Welfare Information Gateway - The Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is an excellent site for general resources on child abuse prevention, protecting children from risk of abuse, and strengthening families. The site includes information on supporting families, protective factors, public awareness, community activities, positive parenting, prevention programs, and more. A few page specific links from the Child Welfare Information Gateway to get you started:
- Preventing child abuse and neglect (an overview)
- Although a few years outdated, the Preventing Child Sexual Abuse National Resource Directory is a comprehensive directory of resources in the field.
- Child abuse and neglect statistics - State and national data and statistics on the incidence of child abuse and neglect and fatalities due to child abuse and neglect. Like most sources on child abuse and neglect, statistical data is several years delayed in being published, it is however the most recent data available.
Prevent Child Abuse America is another great resource and lists state chapters as well.
Prevent Child Abuse Florida/Ounce of Prevention Fund is the state chapter of PCAA and is a great site for our state that lists prevention programs and other happenings in Florida!

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

Darkness to Light is a national nonprofit headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina whose mission is to empower people to prevent child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children is the leading adult-based child sexual abuse prevention training program; third-party evaluated and shown to increase awareness and change attitudes and behaviors. In addition, Darkness to Light assists communities with implementing and sustaining grassroots community based child sexual abuse prevention initiatives.

Internet Safety

Netsmartz has Internet Safety Information for professionals from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
iKeepSafe is a website with resources for professionals including community resources and how to teach kids about online safety!
Wired Kids is a website with information about internet safety and cybercrime.

Bullying Intervention and Prevention

StopBullying.gov is a great resource with information on recognizing, stopping and preventing bullying. Their website also has tons of printable tipsheets available.
The Florida Department of Education has an entire page dedicated to bullying prevention with definitions, policies and resources.