When You Suspect Abuse or Neglect

Abuse and Neglect

Under Nebraska law, citizens are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to their local law enforcement agencies or to the Department. School officials are often the first line of defense against child abuse and neglect. The regular, on-going contact with children allows for the direct observation of the health status--both physical and emotional--of the children. In the state of Nebraska, school officials are the second largest group to report suspected child abuse.

Abuse/Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999

What is Abuse and Neglect?
There are three definitions used to describe abuse:

• physical abuse -- an unexplainable, non-accidental injury to the child,
• emotional abuse -- continual scapegoating or rejection of a child by parents which results in disturbed behavior, and
• sexual abuse -- any sexually oriented act, practice, contact, or interaction in which the child has been used for sexual stimulation of an adult.
  

Neglect is typically defined in two ways.

• The first is emotional neglect. This is when the child is suffering severe negative emotional effects to a parent's failure to provide opportunities for normal experience that produce feelings of being loved, wanted, secure, and worthy.
• Physical neglect is when a parent fails to provide basic needs or a safe and sanitary living environment for the child.
  
  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  
  • Not providing adequate food or clothing,
  • Not following medical recommendations,
  • Lack of supervision that places a child at risk, or no heat in the winter.
    

What Can I Expect if I Report Someone for Abuse?
You are not required to give your name. However, you will be asked to provide your name so that, if necessary, the child protective services worker can request additional information. You are protected from liability, provided that the report is made in good faith, and your report is confidential. It may only be released to law enforcement or to a court involving a judicial proceeding.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required by law to investigate all reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. HHS and law enforcement work together on reports and law enforcement may also conduct an investigation. Due to the confidential and delicate nature of such situations, the person who reports an incidence of abuse cannot be informed of the action taken, or the result of the report.

There are several different services offered to families where suspected child abuse or neglect is reported. Services include counseling, case management, supervision, child care, and homemaker services. These services are offered without regard to the family's income. Only the courts or law enforcement have the right to remove children from a home if the conditions warrant such action.