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If you suspect abuse or neglect, reporting it can protect the child and get help for the family.  South Carolina identifies certain professionals as mandatory reporters.  However, any concerned person can and should report suspected child abuse or neglect.  Any report made in good faith and without malice will not suffer any repercussions.  “Good faith” means the reporter took the appropriate steps to try and learn the facts about the situation.  The term “without malice” means that there was no intention to injure or violate the rights of any of the family members involved in the report.

YOUR SUSPICION OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE A REPORT.  YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROOF.  SOUTH CAROLINA LAW PROTECTS PEOPLE WHO MAKE GOOD FAITH REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE.

How Do I Make a Report?


If you have reason to believe that a child is being harmed within his or her home, contact your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office (http://www.state.sc.us/dss/counties.html).  If you see suspicious activity or know the abuse occurred outside the home environment, contact your local law enforcement agency.  You will be asked the following information which may include:

- Reason for reporting
- The child’s name and name of other siblings living in the household
- Present location of child(ren)
- The suspected perpetrator’s name (if known)
- A description of what you have seen or heard
- The date of occurrence, your observations, and witnesses to the abuse
- Any agencies that you know are already involved with the family
- Your name and phone number (can be anonymous)

Names of reporters are kept confidential.  Families reported for abuse or neglect cannot obtain the names of reporters.  Although you may make your report anonymously, only reporters whose identity can be confirmed are entitled to notification of the investigation’s outcome.