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Child Abuse Report Line

Last Updated Mar 2009

Opening hours: 24 hours
Phone: 131 478

See Reporting child abuse for more information.

Keeping children safe – it's everybody's business

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Contacts

Families SA

Last Updated May 2011

Level 7, 108 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
General enquiries: 8124 4185
Customer information: 8226 6735
Customer service helpline: 8226 6930 or 1800 003 305
Foster carers helpline: 1300 134 043
Email: customer.families@dfc.sa.gov.au
This email address should not be used to report child abuse and neglect.  To report child abuse and neglect, ring the Child Abuse Report Line on 131 478.  This is a 24 hour service.  For more information see Protecting children.

Home » Families and young people » Protecting children
The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) is now the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). The department is currently reviewing its online information and updates will be implemented soon.
You can still find departmental information using the search function on this site. For more information about South Australian government services please visit www.sa.gov.au.

Protecting children

Last Updated Sep 2011

All children have a right to be safe and cared for. Keeping them safe is everyone's responsibility.

Children are powerless to protect themselves from abuse and will only be protected if responsible adults take action on their behalf. Child abuse can happen to any child in any family. It can have lasting, damaging effects and some children may even die because of child abuse. Find out more about how to recognise child abuse and neglect.   

Every family experiences difficulties from time to time. When they do they may need family and friends to help them cope.  In difficult times children are especially vulnerable. If you know of a friend or family member who is having a rough time, see what you can do to support them and help to ensure that their children are OK until things are sorted out.

When there are issues of abuse and neglect you should report your concerns to Families SA by calling the 24 hour Child Abuse Report Line on 131 478.  Calls to this line are confidential. See Reporting child abuse for more information on what happens when a report is made. 

Reporting suspected abuse is the first step in stopping the abuse and protecting children from further harm.  It gives Families SA the chance to help families in situations where a child or children may be at risk.  Most families need help at some stage with the task of raising children.  There are often good social supports through families, friends, neighbours and schools.  The most effective way of keeping children safe is by having good family and social supports around to help when needed. See Parenting for more information.  

In order to keep children safe when they are accessing serivces in the community, the organisations that provide the services are legally required to create and maintain a child safe environment. Find out more about Child Safe Environments.

If you work with children you may be a mandatory reporter of child abuse. Find out about training for mandated notifiers.

If a report has been made about you regarding a child in your care, you can find out about your rights as a parent and a carer.

If you are a child or young person who is being abused, find out what you can do as a victim of child abuse.