Reporting Child Maltreatment

Mandated Reporting

Under Georgia law, OCGA 19-7-5(c)(1) designates certain professionals as mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect. If you are one of those professionals and have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused, you are required by law to immediately make a report to the Georgia Department of Family and Children's Service (DFCS). Mandated reporters are subject to criminal penalty for failing to do so.

Don't know if you are a mandated reporter?

Find out here:

O.C.G.A. §19-7-5

Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

For emergent situations, call 911.

Always immediately follow-up (within 24 hours) by filing a report with DFCS.

Follow-up and Non-emergent Reports:

State-Wide Hotline: 1-855-GACHILD or 1-855-422-4453
Email: cpsintake@dhs.ga.gov
*Web-Based Reporting: http://dfcs.dhs.georgia.gov/child-abuse-neglect
*Web-based reporting requires completion of Mandated Reporter Training

Questions to Expect When Making a Report to DFCS:

Questions to Expect

Free, Web-Based, Mandated Reporter Training:

Mandated Reporter Training

Useful Links for Professionals