Prevent Child Abuse and Trafficking in Hawaii
How do I get online child abuse prevention training and background checks?
Compass Abuse Prevention Services offers online child abuse prevention training and background checks.
What is child abuse and neglect in Hawaii?
Hawaii requires parents to provide their children with a safe family home, free from child abuse and neglect.
Child abuse and neglect is often referred to as harm, and risk for child abuse and neglect is often referred to as threatened harm.
Child abuse or neglect includes physical abuse or neglect; medical neglect; psychological abuse or neglect; inadequate care and supervision; sex abuse; a parent/guardian/caregiver giving illegal drugs to a child; or trafficking children for sex and/or labor.
You can refer to the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §587A, which defines child abuse and neglect in more detail.
The Hawaii Department of Human Services released a comprehensive 2019 report about child abuse statistics in Hawaii.
According to the Child Welfare League of America, there were 1,294 victims of maltreatment in Hawaii in 2020, a rate of 4.4 per 1,000 children, a decrease of 2.2% since 2016.
Who is a mandated reporter according to HI state requirements?
Hawaii State law requires certain people (mandated reporters) to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect.
Mandated reporters in Hawaii include:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Other health professionals
- Employees or officers of schools
- Employees in social, medical, hospital, or mental health services, including financial assistance.
- Employees or officers of any law enforcement agency
- Individual providers or employees or officers of any child care facility.
Mandated reporters who knowingly fail to report child abuse shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor. A person who has been convicted of a petty misdemeanor may be fined or sentenced to imprisonment for a definite term as determined by the court. For more information on mandated reporters, please refer to HRS §350.
The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui produced a short minute film outlining mandatory reporter requirements.
Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been or may be abused and/or neglected, or
has been or may be a victim of sex or labor trafficking, can immediately report to CWS or to the police
department.
How do I report child abuse and child trafficking in Hawaii?
Child Abuse and/or Neglect 24/7 Hotline
(Oahu)
808-832-5300
Child Protective Service 24/7 Hotline
(Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)
1-888-380-3088
Child Trafficking 24/7 Hotline
(Oahu)
808-832-1999
Child Trafficking 24/7 Hotline
(Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)
1-888-398-1188
Mandatory reporters must fill out this checklist and send to CWS after making a verbal child abuse report.
How do I contact the HI Department of Human Services?
Contact the Hawaii Department of Human Services
Child Welfare Services (CWS)
855-643-1643
dhs@dhs.hawaii.gov
Disclaimer: Please ensure the information and courses meet requirements for your organization and circumstances and align with what your state Department of Human Services requires. The state requirements and child abuse and human trafficking statistics listed on this page are current as of February 20th, 2023 to meet the best information available. State requirements may change and it is your responsibility to know your state mandated reporter requirements and the process for online child abuse prevention training. Compass Abuse Prevention Services can not guarantee acceptance by your school, organization, or state Child Welfare Services. If there is a child abuse emergency, call 911 immediately.