Mandatory Reporting

Reporting Child Abuse

1-800-292-9582

Reporter Portal (non-emergency reporting)

Delaware law mandates any person, agency, organization or entity to make an immediate oral report to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF), Division of Family Services (DFS), when they know of, or suspect, child abuse or neglect under Chapter 9 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code, and follow up with any written report.

• Demographics
• Describe the abuse or neglect or why the child is at risk of child abuse or neglect
• Known information about the parents or siblings
• Known information about the alleged child victim’s physical health, mental health, educational issues or parents or siblings.
• Is the alleged child victim in need of medical attention for injuries?
• Known information that could put the child’s or worker’s safety in peril such as the presence of alcohol, drugs, weapons, dangerous animal, or criminal behavior.

DFS will do one of three things when a report is received:

1. Accept the report and investigate the allegations,
2. Refer the report to law enforcement for investigations, or
3. Document the report, but not investigate the allegations.

All reports to the Report Line are reviewed by a DFS supervisor as part of the decision-making process.  A case that is accepted for DFS investigation will be transferred to an investigation caseworker.

*Many thanks to the Delaware.gov website for this important information.