What is child abuse?
A child is abused or neglected when he/she is injured by the intentional acts or omissions of an adult.
Below are examples of abuse and neglect:
- physical or mental injury
- excessive corporal punishment
- sexual offenses
- failure to supply food, clothing, shelter, education or medical care
- abandonment
- encouraging delinquency
- substantial risk of abuse or neglect
How to report child abuse:
Call the Department of Social Services (DSS) at 843.255.6143 if the suspected perpetrator is:
- child’s parent, guardian or foster parent
- operator, employee or caregiver of a public or private residential home, institution, agency or childcare facility
- adult who has assumed the role of or responsibility of a parent or guardian for the child (does not necessarily have legal custody)
Report to local law enforcement by calling 911 if the suspected perpetrator is not responsible for the child’s welfare. Examples include occasional babysitter, neighbor, stranger, leader in youth organization, family member other than parent, guardian or foster parent.
