Reporting Child Abuse

Call the County Social Services Department's Child Protective Services Child Abuse Hotline at (858) 560-2191 or (800) 344-6000 to report situations in which you suspect that a child has been abused or appears to be at risk of being abused.

Your report will be investigated and steps will be taken to protect the child and preserve the family unit.  The SDPD will be informed if abuse is involved.  If you know that abuse has occurred, you should call SDPD directly at (619) 531-2000 or (858) 484-3154.  For further information you can call the SDPD Child Abuse Unit at (619) 531-2260 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If the abuse is in progress you should call 9-1-1. The police will investigate, take steps to protect the victim, prosecute the abuser, and inform the County Social Service Department.

The following are some signs of child abuse:

• Unusual or suspicious injuries
• Sexual language or behavior beyond what is normal for the child’s age
• Specific comments or complaints about abuse
• Lack of basic needs for food, clothing, and medical care
• Poor hygiene
• Lack of supervision for long periods of time