How to Report Abuse

If a child or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger, call 911.

*The information on this page is specific to Minnesota. Please consult local authorities for information about statutes or practices outside of Minnesota.

call child protection

If you are worried about the safety and well-being of a child, call Child Protection Services. CPS will cross-report with the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Minnesota Child Protection Agencies

call adult protection

If you are worried about the safety and well-being of a vulnerable adult, contact Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574. MAARC will forward the report to the appropriate investigating agency.

Call law enforcement

You may also call law enforcement at the location of where the alleged incident occurred.
Law enforcement will cross-report with the appropriate CPS or APS agency.

if you aren’t sure who to call

ChildHelp has crisis counselors available 24/7 on their National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453

Mandated Reporters

Anyone can – and is encouraged to – report suspected abuse or neglect.

However, if you work in particular professions, you are a mandated reporter. These include education, social services, law enforcement, and those who provide care for children or vulnerable adults, as well as other licensed professionals, those who work in particular licensed facilities, and others. Form more information regarding who is a mandated reporter, please see the following statutes:

RE: Minors: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/626.556#stat.626.556.3

RE: Vulnerable adults: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/626.5572#stat.626.5572.16

If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of a child, adolescent, or vulnerable adult, you may be required by law to make a report to Child Protection Services or to law enforcement in the location where the incident may have occurred.

The reporter’s identity is required to be kept confidential.

CornerHouse’s Collecting Minimal Facts training provides a thorough training on how to respond and report abuse disclosures.

  • You will be asked the following:

    * The names and age of the child(ren) and people involved

    * The name(s) of their caregivers

    * The location, address, and relationship of the child and people involved

    * Your observed concerns or the concerns you’ve heard

    * Your involvement with the people involved

    * Your information for possible further questions or follow up

    Mandated reporters are required to make an immediate verbal report. Mandated reporters are required to complete a written report within 72 hours of making a verbal report regarding concerns involving a child or adolescent.

    It's okay to make a report, even if you can't answer all of the above questions.

  • The following is an overview of how to respond to a disclosure of abuse from a child. CornerHouse's Collecting Minimal Facts training provides a thorough training on how to respond and report abuse disclosures.

    DO

    * Stay calm.

    * Listen. If necessary, ask only minimal questions to learn basic information regarding "who" and "what" (My grandpa hurt me in my private spot" is enough to make a report).

    * Let them finish what they want to share

    * Validate their statement “I’m sorry that happened to you.” “I believe you.”

    * Thank them for sharing “Thank you for telling me that.”

    * Ask the who, what, and when

    * Thank them for entrusting you with this information. Let them know what you will do next. "I care about you and want you to be safe. I will be sharing what you told me with some people who can help you be safe."

    DON'T

    * Be judgmental

    * Have big reactions

    * Interrupt their sharing space

    * Ask for additional details. If more information is shared spontaneously, this can be included when making a report.

    * Putting blame on them “Why didn’t you tell me earlier”

    * Place doubt “Are you sure?”

    * Make promises “I promise everything will be okay”

More Resources

Note: The information on this page is specific to Minnesota. Please consult local authorities for information about statutes or practices outside of Minnesota.