Blog

Indiana’s Department of Child Services reports that 2015 is setting records for child abuse cases.

According to DCS, nearly 18,000 children across Indiana are in need of service. That is up 26 percent from 2014.

Reasons for the increase range from higher rates of heroin use noted by police to poverty and domestic violence, but mental health issues and concerns also contribute, reports Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, which, like Family & Children’s Place, aims to cut these staggering statistics by stopping abuse before it happens.

Like Kentucky, Indiana is one of 19 states that has a mandatory report law, which means if you suspect child abuse, you have a legal responsibility to report it to DCS and, potentially, save a life.

If you know or suspect child abuse or neglect, call the 24-hour DCS hotline at 1-800-800-5556.