Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect

To report suspected abuse/neglect, you do not need to have proof but you do need to have reasonable grounds for suspicion. You do not need permission from the child’s caregivers.

The following information is needed when making a report:

• Name, address and approximate age of the child(ren)
• Name and address of the child’s parent, guardian or caretaker
• The child’s condition, including the history, nature and extent of the injury or maltreatment
• Information known about the family that could affect the safety of the child, and perhaps the safety of a social worker.

Please be prepared to tell the social worker taking the report as much information as you can. You don't have to know everything.

The reporter’s identity is kept confidential and is not shared with anyone outside the agency unless required by a court order.

It is the law that any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a disabled person is in need of Protective Services must report the case to the County Social Services Department (N.C.G.S. 108A-102). The reporter's identity is kept confidential unless a court of law orders disclosure.

Types of Elder Abuse:

• Physical Abuse – the intentional or reckless use of physical force or coercion that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.
• Sexual Abuse – non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older adult, perpetrated through force, threats, or the exploitation of authority.
• Emotional Abuse – the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts (i.e. verbal assaults, insults, threats, or intimidation).
• Financial Abuse – the illegal or improper use of an elder’s funds, property, or assets (i.e. misusing or stealing an older person’s money or possessions, coercing or deceiving an older person into signing any document).
• Neglect – Failure of caregivers or other responsible parties to provide food, shelter, health care or protection.
• Self-neglect – A situation in which an individual’s failure to perform self-care tasks creates a threat to his/her own health or safety.

Signs of Elder Abuse:

The signs of elder abuse vary from individual to individual. Some signs may not be as apparent as others, depending on the severity and frequency of the abuse. Below are several examples of signs of elder abuse.

• Emotional distress or agitation.
• Withdrawal from activities of daily life.
• Medication overdose or chemical restraints.
• Sudden behavioral changes.
• Depression or anxiety.
• Poor personal hygiene.
• Bruises, abrasions, or lacerations around the breasts or genitals.
• Unsafe living conditions.
• Unattended or untreated health problems.

The allegations in the report will be screened to see if they meet the legal definition of abuse, neglect, or dependency. The department has jurisdiction only when the alleged mistreatment falls within legal definitions and was committed or allowed by the parent or caretaker. If the allegations and alleged perpetrator meet these criteria, an investigation is begun. If a report is not accepted for investigation/assessment, the person reporting the abuse has a right to challenge this decision through an agency review process.