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

In this section

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). Families SA, including the child protection and family support functions, is now part of the new Department for Education and Child Development. Youth Justice remains with DCSI and the Department now includes Multicultural SA, Northern Connections, Office for the Southern Suburbs, Office for Volunteers, Office for Women, Office for Youth and Social Inclusion. Contact details for these offices are available on the Contacts page.

The department is currently reviewing its online information and updates are in progress. Departmental information can still be found using the search function on this site. For more information about South Australian government services please visit www.sa.gov.au.

For victims of child abuse

Last Updated Jun 2011

You have a right to be safe. If someone is hurting you, or not looking after you properly, which includes protecting you from harm, you should talk to an adult who you can trust. If you are in immediate danger, call for assistance on 000.

Talk to someone

If you feel you can’t talk to anyone at home about your problems, think about the people you trust most. These people may be:

A friend, their parents or another adult
Your grandparents or another relative
Your teacher or school counsellor

Often talking to someone about your problems or the things that are worrying you, can help.

If things are so bad that you want to leave home, try to talk to a counsellor, a teacher or adult you trust. It is a big decision and not an easy one to make so it is best to talk it through with someone who can help you to become safe in a way that will not create new problems, such as being homeless.

What happens when I report child abuse?

We believe that the best place for a child or young person is in their family home as long as it is safe. Most families can get help to work on their problems while the children remain at home.

Sometimes when things are really tough, we may arrange for you to stay in a safe place while things are being sorted out. This might be with a relative, friends, another family, or in another safe place. Most of the time, this can be done with everyone’s agreement.

If it is really not safe for you to be with your family, then Families SA may have to make these arrangements even if everyone doesn’t agree. In these situations, this will need to go to the Youth Court and the Judge will make a decision about whether you need to stay in a safe place for a longer period of time.

You will be told what is happening, and the law requires that the Judge take into account what you want when they make the decisions.

Will I get into trouble?

No, it is not your fault and you won’t get into trouble. Children and young people have a right to feel safe all of the time. Some children and young people think that if they tell someone about the abuse that has happened to them they will be judged by those around them. Sometimes they feel they are to blame in some way. People who abuse children often want to keep it a secret, and may lie to you.

It is very important that you tell someone you trust. This person may be able to protect you in the future, to help you deal with what has happened, or support you while you talk to a counsellor or make a report to Families SA or the Police.