Children's Services

Child Protective Services

Reports of abuse and neglect of children under the age of 18 are investigated with the goal of protecting children from physical, mental, and medical neglect, and from sexual abuse and exploitation. Services are also provided to prevent and alleviate family crises.

Child Protective Services, a federally mandated program, accepts reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. Child Protective Services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Allegations of child abuse/neglect must meet four criteria:

• The abuse/neglect must involve a caregiver for the child
• Information reported has to address conditions that allow the agency to accept the allegation as a valid complaint (i.e. physical abuse)
• Involve children under the age of 18
• Involve children who reside in the city of Norfolk

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

Caution: do not use email to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect. It causes delays and confidentiality may not be ensured. Please call the Norfolk Child Abuse Hotline at 757-664-6022 or 800-552-7096 toll-free after 5 p.m. nights, weekends and holidays.

Provide as much of the following information as possible when calling in a report of suspected child abuse or neglect:

• Age of the child
• Alleged perpetrator, if known
• Home address or address where the child can be reached
• Name of the child who is the alleged victim
• Name, phone number and address of the reporter (optional)
• Parents' names, phone numbers and addresses, if known
• Specific physical and behavioral indicators of maltreatment
• Type of suspected abuse

While reports may remain anonymous, knowing the name and phone number of the reporter allows Child Protective Services to obtain additional information, if necessary. The agency staff taking the information for the report will ask for as many details about the maltreatment as the reporter is able to provide.