Prevent Child Abuse in New Mexico
How do I get online child abuse prevention training and background checks?
Compass Abuse Prevention Services offers 100% online child abuse prevention training courses and background checks.
What is child abuse and neglect in New Mexico?
Under New Mexico law (2A-4-2, NMSA, 1978):
Physical abuse includes:
- Cases in which a child exhibits evidence of a skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of a bone, subdural hematoma, tissue swelling or death, AND
- There is not a justifiable explanation for the condition or death.
Sexual abuse includes:
- Criminal sexual contact
- Incest or criminal sexual penetration
- Sexual exploitation (acts such as allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or obscene or pornographic photographing, or filming a child for obscene or pornographic commercial purposes)
Neglect includes:
- The abandonment of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian.
- The failure of a parent, guardian or custodian to provide a child with proper parental care and control or subsistence, education, medical or other care or control necessary for the child’s well-being.
- When a child is physically or sexually abused and the child’s parent, guardian or custodian knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to take reasonable steps to protect the child from further harm.
- Parental inability to discharge their responsibilities to and for the child because of parental incarceration, hospitalization, or physical or mental disorder or incapacity.
According to the Child Welfare League of America, there were 7,050 victims of abuse or neglect in New Mexico in 2017, a rate of 14.9 per 1,000 children. This is a 1.97% increase since 2016.
Who is a mandated reporter according to NM state requirements?
Every person who knows or has reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected in New Mexico must report the matter immediately to CYFD’s Statewide Central Intake child abuse hotline, to law enforcement, or the appropriate tribal identity.
Specific professionals mentioned under New Mexico law as mandated reporters are: licensed physicians, residents or interns, law enforcement officers, judges presiding during a proceeding, nurses, school teachers, school officials, social workers, and members of the clergy who have information not privileged as a matter of law.
How do I report child abuse in New Mexico?
You can report suspected child abuse or neglect anytime by:
- calling #SAFE (#7233) from a cell phone
- calling 1-855-333-SAFE (1-855-333-SAFE (7233)
- calling law enforcement or the appropriate tribal identity
Children who are experiencing abuse or neglect or know of someone being abused or neglected can use one of the above reporting methods or text the 24/7 Reach NM Hotline at 505-591-9444.
How do I contact the NM Department of Children, Youth, and Families?
Contact the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth, and Families
(505) 827-8400
P.O. Drawer 5160
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5160
Kathleen.Hardy@cyfd.nm.gov
Disclaimer: Please ensure the information and courses meet requirements for your organization and circumstances and align with what your state Department of Children, Youth, and Families requires. The state requirements and child abuse and human trafficking statistics listed on this page are current as of February 21st, 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 Department of Children, Youth, and Families. If there is a child abuse emergency, call 911 immediately.