(WAND) - The Department of Children and Family Services has announced an enhanced and streamlined online system for reporting child abuse and neglect.
This will make it easier for people to submit information through mobile phones.
The updated site has improved entry fields, clearer instructions and fewer necessary clicks, reducing the time required to make reports and providing a convenient alternative to calling the 24-hour hotline.
“Our user-friendly online reporting system makes it easier for everyone to file a report of suspected abuse or neglect, including those whose only access to the internet may be through a smartphone and prefer to file a report through the site,” said Illinois DCFS Acting Director Marc D. Smith. “The earlier suspected abuse or neglect is reported, the earlier we can connect the family to services and supports they need to keep their children safely at home.”
DCFS mentioned that during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic while families were secluded at home, children were less likely to be seen by other adults, including mandated reporters such as teachers. Less than 50% of reports of suspected child abuse and neglect were reported in April 2020 compared to April 2020.
Now that schools are back in session whether in person or virtually, reports to DCFS have increased, with September 2020 remaining about 18% below 2019.
“We know teachers are one of the main groups of individuals who make reports to our hotline because they spend so much time with children every day; and now that schools are back in session, a teacher may be the first person outside of a child’s immediate family to see him or her in quite some time,” said Smith.
Online reports through the enhanced site have quickly increased since its launch, with 434 online reports in the last full week of September compared to 173 filed during the same time in 2019, DCFS reported.
The new online reporting system also places reports directly into DCFS’s case management system, which increases internal efficiency.
The new system is expected to reduce the number of overall calls, requiring fewer return calls at a later time from DCFS staff during high-call volume periods.
To make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect online in a non-emergency situation, visit https://dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov/. To make a report by phone, call 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). Calls and online reports may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For all emergency situations, calls should be made to 911.
