All of us play a fundamental role in preventing child abuse and neglect. You can help families overcome difficulties in many ways to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect. But, if you have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child or youth, call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (844-CO-4-Kids).
What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse happens when a parent, caregiver or guardian harms a child or youth through their actions — or by failing to act. This harm can be physical, emotional or sexual.
What is Child Neglect?
Child neglect is the intentional failure of a parent, legal guardian or custodian to provide for a child’s or youth’s basic needs. This includes but is not limited to education, shelter, medical care and/or food.
Child Abuse Vs Neglect
It Could Be
Child Abuse If:
- A child or youth has unexplained injuries, such as bruises, bleeding, burns, fractures and/or soft tissue swelling.
- A child or youth is verbally attacked, constantly denigrated, threatened, or bullied by a parent or caregiver.
- A child or youth is delayed in physical or emotional development without a medical diagnosis.
- A child or youth becomes pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- A parent or caregiver actively refuses to respond to a child or youth’s needs.
- An employer uses force, fraud and/or coercion to maintain control over the child or youth and cause them to believe they have no other choice than to work.
It Could Be
Child Neglect If:
- A parent or caregiver abuses alcohol or drugs and exposes the child or youth to drug paraphernalia (e.g., syringes, pipes, etc.).
- A parent or caregiver leaves the child or youth alone for long periods of time, without proper supervision, or abandons the child.
- A child or youth is often absent from school or does not receive appropriate homeschooling.
- A child or youth is malnourished, wears inadequate clothes for the weather, demonstrates poor hygiene, smells of urine or poop and/or has unmet medical needs.
- A child or youth uses drugs or commits a crime (e.g., shoplifting, assault, driving under the influence, etc.).
- A child or youth lives in a home that is very dirty or unsafe, such as having rotting food, human or animal poop, bugs or insects, or no running or clean water.
Why You Should Report Child Abuse and Neglect
Reporting your concerns about child abuse and neglect in Colorado may help protect children and youth and help their families receive essential services. In more than 95% of child welfare assessments, children and youth stay in their homes while they and their families receive services.
Protect Children
By calling the Hotline, you are helping protect children and youth and preventing future abuse and/or neglect.
Ensure Safety
When you call the Hotline, child welfare professionals evaluate the child’s safety and connect the family with services that can help them overcome difficulties.
It’s the Law
You may be a mandatory reporter, and by law, you are obligated to report any suspected or known child abuse and neglect.
How to ReportChild Abuse & Neglect
When you call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, you are reporting your concern that a child or youth might be being abused or neglected. Making a call is NOT an accusation and it will lead to an evaluation of the safety and well-being of a child or youth. When calling, it is fundamental that you provide at least the following information:
- Name of the child or youth
- Home, school or childcare address
- Your reasons why you suspect child abuse or neglect
- Specifics about any injury and/or impact on the child(ren) or youth
Who Are Mandatory Reporters?And What Do They Do?
More than forty (40) professions are obligated by Colorado’s law to report suspected or known child abuse and neglect. Some of these include:
A Mandatory Reporter who fails to report child abuse and neglect could be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor, receive a fine and/or imprisonment.
Find out if you are a Mandatory Reporter today and what is legally required of you.
Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect
Whether you’re a mandatory reporter, a parent, or someone’s neighbor, we all have a role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect in Colorado. There are many ways that you can step up to help families with children so that abuse and neglect don’t happen in the first place.
Explore Ways to Prevent Child Abuse and NeglectHave Questions?
Discover over 40 answers to common questions about child maltreatment and welfare, such as:
