What to Expect when Calling

When calling for information on reporting child abuse, a recorded message will tell you to press or say "1" to talk to a Hotline crisis counselor. This is the option to choose if you:

need help and want to talk to a counselor
have questions about child abuse or want to know where to go for information on reporting child abuse, to report suspected or known abuse in your community, or want a referral to an agency near you

The recording will give you two other options:

Press 2 if you want literature mailed to you. (Allow two weeks for delivery via the U.S. Postal Service.)

Press 3 if you want to make a donation to Childhelp

When you select option 1, a counselor will answer and say "Childhelp crisis counselor. How may I help you?" If the person calling speaks a language other than English, the Hotline counselor will setup a three-way call with a translator.

The counselor will:

listen to your concerns and needs
answer your questions
ask you questions to be sure he or she understands what you are saying
suggest things you can do to get help
provide referrals utilizing a database of thousands of emergency, social service and support resources located in the United States and Canada.

If you are a child or teen who is in danger, the Hotline counselor will help you contact someone such as Child Protective Services, or the police. If needed, the Hotline counselor will stay on the phone as part of a three-way call.

The Hotline counselor will not tape the telephone conversation or ask for your name (unless you ask to have literature mailed to you).

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What to Expect when Calling