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Report Abuse / Neglect
Report Elder Abuse or Neglect
- Call: 800-664-9774 to report elder abuse occurring in Butte County
- Submit:
- Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse Form (PDF)
- Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse Form - Financial (PDF)
- Fax Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse forms to 530-538-5093
Report Child Abuse or Neglect
- Call: 800-400-0902 to report child abuse occurring in Butte County
If you are in immediate danger, please contact 911.
After a Report Is Made
When a report of alleged abuse is received, a Social Worker takes information regarding the nature and extent of the abuse, neglect, exploitation, such as what the reporter saw, why the reporter considers it to be abuse, neglect or exploitation, and does the reporter believe the alleged victim is in immediate danger. If, after consultation with a Social Work Supervisor, it is determined that the report indicates that a dependent adult or elder is being abused, or at risk of abuse, then the following steps may be taken:
- Initiate a personal visit with the adult within 24 hours to five working days depending on the risk of imminent danger to the individual
- With the consent of the adult, interview the alleged perpetrator if one has been named
- Interview collaterals when appropriate (service providers, relatives, neighbor's, etc.)
- Discuss with the adult, guardian, conservator, and/or caretaker what actions are needed and, with the adult's consent, develop service plans or corrective action plans with recommendations to prevent further harm
- With the adult's consent, assist in locating services which are necessary to maintain physical or mental health, i.e.:
- Legal services
- Medical care
- Appropriate living arrangements
- Assistance in personal hygiene
- Food
- Clothing
- Adequately heated and ventilated shelter
- Protection for maltreatment
- Transportation
- Provide advocacy to assure protection or personal rights
- What is elder abuse?
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Abuse of an elder or dependent adult includes any of the following:
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Abandonment
- Isolation
- Financial Abuse
- Neglect
- Self-Neglect
- Mental Suffering
- What are the signs of elder abuse?
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- Physical Abuse: e.g. Hitting, kicking, burning, dragging, over or under medicating.
- Sexual Abuse: e.g. Unwanted sexual contact, sexual exploitation, forced viewing of pornography.
- Abandonment: e.g. Desertion or willful forsaking by anyone having responsibility for care.
- Isolation: e.g. Preventing the individual from receiving mail, telephone calls, visitors.
- Financial: e.g. Theft, misuse of funds or property, extortion, duress, fraud.
- Neglect: e.g. Failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, or health care for an individual under one's care when the means to do so are available.
- Self-Neglect: e.g. Failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, or health care for oneself.
- Mental Suffering: e.g. Verbal assaults, threats, causing fear.
View the Red Flags of Elder Abuse (PDF) to learn more.
- What can you do to help?
-
If you suspect that an older or dependent adult needs help:
- Call 800-664-9774 to report Elder abuse occurring in Butte County
- Submit a form:
- Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse Form (PDF)
- Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse Form - Financial (PDF)
- Fax Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse forms to 530-538-5093
If you are in immediate danger, please contact 911.
- Who must report?
-
Reports are made by either of the following:
- Concerned citizens
- Mandated Reporters
The law requires mandated reporters to make a verbal report immediately or as soon as possible, but within 24 hours, followed by a written report within 2 days.
- Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for care or custody of an elder or dependent adult, whether or not that person receives compensation
- Administrators, supervisors, and any licensed staff of a public or private facility that provides care or services for elder or dependent adults
- Any elder or dependent adult care custodian
- Health practitioners
- Clergy member
- County welfare departments
- Law Enforcement and Fire departments
- Any other protective, public, sectarian, mental health, private assistance or advocacy agency or person providing health services or social services to elders or dependent adults
- Financial institutions when suspecting financial abuse
Mandated Reporter Training Information
This training is recommended for all employees of public and private care facilities, for health care workers, members of the clergy, employees of financial institutions, law enforcement personnel and anyone with full or intermittent responsibility for the care and custody of an elderly or dependent adult.
You can find the free Mandated Report Training online. For more information about the requirements for a Mandated Reporters please visit the CA Adult Protective Services page.