Abuse and Neglect
Everyone has a responsibility to report suspected abuse or neglect. State law requires any person who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected to report their concerns to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at:
(800) 652-1999
Please remember to dial 911 in an emergency.
Popular Questions
Sign of possible elder abuse include:
- Injuries that cannot be explained or the explanation doesn't make sense;
- Fractures, bruises, cuts, burns;
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases;
- Changes in behaviors around certain individuals;
- Unpaid bills despite having enough money to pay them;
- ATM withdrawals that don't match the person's lifestyle or ability;
- Forged checks or checks for services not used by the person;
- Missing or stolen medications;
- Lack of food, proper clothing, shelter, or medicine;
- Unsafe shelter (rotting floors, exposed wiring, fire hazards);
- Lack of proper supervision;
- Poor hygiene (untrimmed nails, matted hair, odor, soiled clothing)
- Untreated bedsores or other untreated medical issues.
If you suspect elder abuse call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 652-1999 or local law enforcement.
The Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers provides statewide leadership in the fight against child abuse while working with our member Centers, the seven Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) located throughout Nebraska. The Nebraska Alliance is dedicated to the multidisciplinary, child advocacy approach and a coordinated, comprehensive response to child abuse throughout all of our state's 93 counties. For more information on the resources available in your area call 402-933-7422 or visit their website.
The Nebraska Resource and Referral System is a searchable database for community agencies and organizations throughout the state of Nebraska. Visit their website to search for family support, counselors, and other resources.
There are also a number of programs dedicated to prevention of abuse and neglect:
Anyone who knows or even suspects elder abuse or neglect should call the DHHS Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999. Adult Protective Services is charged with investigating cases to protect vulnerable adults from exploitation.
The signs of financial exploitation include:
- Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices, such as unexplained withdrawals of large amounts of money or transfers between accounts
- Additional names on an older person’s bank cards or checking accounts
- Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
- Disappearance of funds, possessions or medications from the home
- Unpaid bills or substandard medical care despite the availability of funds
- Evidence of the elder’s signature being forged
- The sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives or new friends
- Unnecessary services, goods or subscriptions
- Financial activity impossible for a bedridden senior such as an ATM withdrawal
- A caregiver expresses excessive interest in the amount of money spent on the older person
- Payment for unnecessary services
- Reports from the individual of financial exploitation
There are many potential indicators of abuse or neglect. You do not have to be certain that abuse or neglect has occurred to make a report.
In Nebraska, everyone is a mandatory reporter. This means physicians, medical institutions, nurses, school employees, social workers or any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect is required by law to make a report to the CPS Hotline and/or Law Enforcement. (Nebraska Revised Statute 28-711)
To report suspected abuse or neglect you should call 1-800-652-1999 (CPS Hotline) or local law enforcement.
Potential indicators for abuse of a child include:
- Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
- Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
- Sudden changes in behavior or school performance
- Untreated physical or medical problems
- Learning problems / difficulty concentrating
- “Watchful," preparing for something bad to happen
- Little or no adult supervision, often left alone
- Overly compliant, passive, withdrawn
- At school or other activities early, stays late, does not want to go home
- Shrinks at the approach of adults, afraid
- Is reluctant to be around a particular person or seems frightened
- Discloses abuse
- Is frequently absent from school
- Begs or steals food or money
- Lacks medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
- Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
- Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
- Abuses alcohol or other drugs
- States that there is no one at home
- Shows extreme behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, very passive or aggressive
- Acts very mature for their age (ex: parenting other children) or very young (ex:frequently rocking or head-banging)
- Is delayed in physical or emotional development
- Has attempted suicide
- Reports a lack of attachment to the parent
- Signs of Sexual Abuse
- Has difficulty walking or sitting
- Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
- Reports nightmares or bedwetting
- Experiences a sudden change in appetite
- Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
- Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
- Runs away
- Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment
Potential indicators that a parent is abusing a child:
- Denies there is a problem, blames the child for problems
- Uses harsh physical discipline with the child and/or tells teachers or others to use harsh physical discipline
- Sees the child as bad or worthless; describes the child in a negative way
- Demands “perfection"
- Looks to the child for their own care, attention, and satisfaction.
- Shows little concern for the child
- Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
- Has a history of abuse as a child
- Has a history of abusing animals or pets
- Appears to be indifferent to the child
- Seems apathetic or depressed
- Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
- Is abusing alcohol or other drugs
- Does not protect the child
- Is secretive and isolated
- Is jealous or controlling with family members
- Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
- Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems
- Overtly rejects the child
If you must leave your child alone, consider their maturity level. Never leave a child six years old or younger alone. If you leave your children with a baby sitter, make sure that person is safe. Older children left in charge of younger children should know who to call in case of an emergency.
• Children
• People 18 years or older that have a condition that impairs their ability to live independently or provide self-care without services
• People 18 years or older that have a guardian appointed by the Nebraska Probate Code
• Spouses or domestic partners
Everyone has a responsibility to report suspected abuse or neglect. State law requires any person who suspects that a child has been abused or neglected to report their concerns to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at: 1 (800) 652-1999 or local law enforcement.
Reporting of abuse and neglect is confidential. Your contact with the CPS hotline or law enforcement is confidential and will not be shared with the family. You may be contacted by a Child and Family Services Specialist from the Department of Health and Human Services during the investigation of abuse or neglect, however, you may request to remain anonymous.
You do not have to be certain that abuse or neglect has occurred to make a report.
In Nebraska, everyone is a mandatory reporter. This means physicians, medical institutions, nurses, school employees, social workers or any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect is required by law to make a report to the CPS Hotline and/or Law Enforcement. (Nebraska Revised Statute 28-711)
To report suspected abuse or neglect you should call 1-800-652-1999 (CPS Hotline) or local law enforcement.
To report suspected abuse or neglect you should call 1-800-652-1999 (CPS Hotline) or local law enforcement. You do not have to be certain that abuse has occurred to make a report.
In Nebraska, everyone is a mandatory reporter. This means physicians, medical institutions, nurses, school employees, social workers or any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect is required by law to make a report to the CPS Hotline and/or Law Enforcement. (Nebraska Revised Statute 28-711)
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