Prevent Child Abuse in South Carolina
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 South Carolina
Under South Carolina law, child abuse is any person under the age of 18 who is believed to have been harmed or at risk of harm by their parents, guardians, or other caregivers.
This can be through physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, exposure to domestic violence, or emotional abuse.
According to the Child Welfare League of America, there were 14,263 victims of abuse or neglect in South Carolina in 2020, a rate of 12.8 per 1,000 children. This is a 17.7% decrease since 2016.
Who is a mandated reporter according to SC state requirements?
The law encourages everyone, even if they are not a mandatory reporter, to report child abuse and neglect.
South Carolina law requires the following professionals to be mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect:
- Healthcare professionals: physicians, nurses, dentists, optometrists, medical examiners or coroners or their employees, emergency medical services, mental health or allied health professionals
- Educational professionals: teachers, counselors, principals, school attendance officers
- Social or public assistance professionals: substance abuse treatment staff, childcare workers, foster parents
- Legal professionals: police or law enforcement officers, juvenile justice workers, volunteer non-attorney guardians ad litem serving on behalf of the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem program or on behalf of Richland County CASA, judges
- Undertakers, funeral home directors, or their employees
- Film processors
- Computer technicians
- Clergy, including Christian Science Practitioners or religious healers (subject to laws governing privileged communication)
How do I report child abuse in South Carolina?
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact the SCDSS 24/7 hotline at: 1-888-CARE4US or 1-888-227-3487. Reports can also be made online.
The Out of Home Abuse and Neglect Investigations unit (OHAN) investigates child abuse and neglect that occurs in foster care placements or at child care facilities. To report a case of child abuse or neglect that has occurred in one of these settings please call the 24/7 Children’s Helpline at: 1-800-645-9789.
To report Vulnerable adult abuse, call 1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487) or make a report online.
How do I contact the SC Department of Social Services?
Contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services
1535 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201-1915
Disclaimer: Please ensure the information and courses meet requirements for your organization and circumstances and align with what your state Department of Social Services 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 Social Services. If there is a child abuse emergency, call 911 immediately.