The Department of Children’s Services announced an important trial change for the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline. During designated weekend hours (Fridays 11 p.m. Central through Sundays 11 p.m. Central), the hotline will transition to an online-only reporting system for the public. The purpose of this pilot is to increase the efficiency of the hotline and reduce long wait times for public callers.
Beginning Friday, callers wishing to report child abuse or neglect to the public hotline number (877-237-0004) during weekend hours will now hear a recorded message prompting them to submit information through DCS’s secure online referral portal: https://carat.app.tn.gov/carat/. The portal can be accessed via the DCS website (TN.gov/DCS) by selecting ‘Report Child Abuse’ under the ‘I Want To’ tab on the home page. The hotline will remain staffed around the clock during weekend hours, and public reports submitted online will continue to be reviewed in real time.
This change will only affect the gotline’s public phone line. The dedicated phone line for law enforcement and medical personnel referrals will remain active during weekend hours. As always, life-threatening emergencies should be reported to 911.
The Child Abuse Hotline serves a critical role in protecting vulnerable children across the state. In November alone, the hotline received more than 7.200 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. DCS reminds the public that all individuals in Tennessee are considered mandated reporters and are required to report child abuse or neglect to DCS or law enforcement.
For more information about the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline, including helpful FAQs for the public, please visit the DCS website: https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/child-safety/reporting/ hotline-faq.html.