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State Sets Up New Child Abuse Reporting Hotline

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Reporting suspected child abuse in Ohio is now as simple as calling one number.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has set up 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453) to link the caller to a child welfare or law enforcement office in their area.

The new hotline is an automated telephone directory that directs callers to local child welfare or law enforcement officials.

"What we wanted was one easy to remember number so that regular Ohioans, should they suspect abuse or neglect, can quickly make a report," DJFS spokesman Benjamin Johnson said.

In a news release OJFS Director Michael Colbert said how important it is for people to be able to report child abuse quickly and easily.

Ohio receives 70,000 – 80,000 reports of abuse or neglect every year. Callers reporting suspected child abuse can choose to remain anonymous.