Report Suspected Abuse

REPORTS CAN BE MADE ANONYMOUSLY.

Call 1-800-832-9173 (then press 1) to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability.  This includes instances where the person is 18 or older and in a placement funded by the Department of Children and Families’ Children’s System of Care.  This DDD Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or someone you care for is experiencing an emergency that requires immediate medical or police assistance, please call 911.

Calls may be made by any person having reasonable cause to believe that an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability has been a victim.  Detailed information about the process, including the steps taken by the Division upon receiving a report, are outlined in the FAQ on Reporting Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation.

Employees and volunteers of the New Jersey Department of Human Services and any facility or program licensed, contracted or regulated by the Department are required to report allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of any individual with an intellectual or developmental disability.  Agency protocols for reporting must be followed.

To request a copy of a completed investigation report, submit the Investigation Report Request Form for review.

In an effort to ensure communication and obtain feedback, the Division interacts regularly with various stakeholders (E.g. Individuals, Guardians/Families, Advocacy Groups, Service Providers, etc.) to exchange information.  Through this interaction, various subject areas are discussed.  One topic communicated to the Division by some families is their experience or fear of retaliation by the service provider of their loved one if they a lodge complaint about care.  The Division convened a small group of families and service providers to discuss this topic.  Please see Family and Provider Relations for more information.