How to Report
Suspected Child Abuse
Please call your County Department of Human Resources or local law enforcement agency to report suspected abuse or neglect. Do not send reports of suspected abuse or neglect via email.
Alabama law is clear on reporting abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18. If you are someone who comes in regular contact with children - – physician, a teacher, social worker, nurse, or day care worker, for example – you should be aware of your legal obligation to report incidents of suspected or obvious child abuse or neglect. If you are a concerned citizen, neighbor, friend or family member who is aware of such incidents, you should make a report to those who can take action.
Click here for county contact information
A second notification should be made if the suspected abuse is believed to have happened in a Catholic parish, school or other institution. Or if the abuse is believed to involve a member of the clergy, employee, or volunteer of the Catholic Church in North Alabama. The second notification should be made by calling the diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection 205-776-7125 OR 205-242-3954
Alabama law is clear on reporting abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18. If you are someone who comes in regular contact with children - – physician, a teacher, social worker, nurse, or day care worker, for example – you should be aware of your legal obligation to report incidents of suspected or obvious child abuse or neglect. If you are a concerned citizen, neighbor, friend or family member who is aware of such incidents, you should make a report to those who can take action.
Click here for county contact information
A second notification should be made if the suspected abuse is believed to have happened in a Catholic parish, school or other institution. Or if the abuse is believed to involve a member of the clergy, employee, or volunteer of the Catholic Church in North Alabama. The second notification should be made by calling the diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection 205-776-7125 OR 205-242-3954
What is Child Abuse
Under Alabama law, it is "harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare which can occur through nonaccidental physical or mental injury; sexual abuse or attempted sexual abuse; sexual exploitation or attempted sexual exploitation."
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What is child neglect?
Under Alabama law, it is "negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child, including the failure to provide adequate food, medical treatment, clothing, or shelter: provided, however, that a parent or guardian legitimately practicing his religious beliefs who thereby does not provide specified medical treatment for a child, for that reason alone shall not be considered a negligent parent or guardian; however, such an exception shall not preclude a court from ordering that medical services be provided to the child, where his health requires it."
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What is child neglect?
Under Alabama law, it is "negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child, including the failure to provide adequate food, medical treatment, clothing, or shelter: provided, however, that a parent or guardian legitimately practicing his religious beliefs who thereby does not provide specified medical treatment for a child, for that reason alone shall not be considered a negligent parent or guardian; however, such an exception shall not preclude a court from ordering that medical services be provided to the child, where his health requires it."