REPORTING CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT

To report child abuse or neglect in Georgia,

call 1(855)-GA-CHILD.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the police.

Law Enforcement of Newton County

  • Newton County Sheriff's Office - (678) 625-1400
  • Covington Police Department - (770) 786-7605
  • Porterdale Police Department - (770) 786-2217

Law Enforcement of Walton County 

  • Walton County Sheriff's Office - (770) 267-6557
  • Loganville Police Department - (770) 466-8087
  • Monroe Police Department - (770) 267-7576
  • Social Circle Police Department - (770) 464-2366

Remember, your identity and all information you provide are strictly confidential.

A report is not an accusation, it is simply a request for professional services to be rendered.

How Do I Know Abuse When I See It?

Sexual Abuse

generally occurs when a person has sexual contact with a child under the age of 16. Sexual abuse may involve forcing, coercing, or persuading a child, Sexual abuse also includes non-contact acts, such as exposure to pornography, sexual acts in the presence of a child, and discussing sexual acts with a child.

Physical Abuse

is injury to a child under the age of 18 by other than accidental means by parent or caretaker which results in bruises, welts, fractures, burns, cuts, internal injuries, etc. Physical injury is defined as bodily harm or hurt.

Neglect

is the failure to provide necessary sustenance or the failure to provide an environment in which the child can thrive.

Mandated reporters are required by law to report suspicions of child abuse. Failure to do so can result in legal liability.

The following persons, having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused, shall report or cause reports of that abuse to be made according to PART V MANDATORY REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE SECTION 5-1: This information subject to change. For current list of mandatory reporters, please see OCGA 19-7-5(c)(1)

  • Physicians licensed to practice medicine, physician assistants, interns, or residents;
  • Hospital or medical personnel;
  • Dentists;
  • Licensed psychologists and persons participating in internships to obtain licensing pursuant to Chapter 39 of Title 43;
  • Podiatrists;
  • Registered professional nurses or licensed practical nurses licensed pursuant to Chapter 26 of Title 43 or nurse's aides;
  • Professional counselors, social workers, or marriage and family therapists licensed pursuant to Chapter 10A of Title 43;
  • School teachers;
  • School administrators;
  • School counselors, visiting teachers, school social workers, or school psychologists certified pursuant to Chapter 2 of Title 20;
  • Child welfare agency personnel, as such agency is defined in Code Section 49-5-12;
  • Child-counseling personnel;
  • Child service organization personnel;
  • Law enforcement personnel; or
  • ​Reproductive health care facility or pregnancy resource center personnel and volunteers.