What do I do if I become aware of children or young persons who are being abused or neglected?
Residents have a legal obligation to advise Social Services if they become aware that a child or young person under the age of 18, is suffering physical, sexual or emotional abuse or is being neglected.
Contact Social Services front desk team by telephone on +45 99 74 10 04 and make a report concerning children or young persons.
This also applies if you become aware of expectant parents who have problems that you feel will mean that the child will need special support after birth.
Within 6 business days at the latest, you will receive confirmation that the Municipality has received your report. As private person you will not be informed of the outcome of your report, and therefore you will not hear further from Social Services about the matter.
Reporting child abuse
If you become aware that a child is suffering neglect or abuse, then you have a legal obligation to inform the Municipality.
This also applies if a child is living under conditions that may be detrimental to their health or development. When you inform the Municipality about a specific situation concerning a child or young person, then the Municipality must notify you of receipt of the information within 6 days. As informant, you will not be involved further in the matter, and will not later receive any information about any help or assistance that the Municipality chooses to give to the child.
Public servants and others in public office have a strict duty to inform Social Services if they become aware of possible neglect or abuse situations. Professionals will be advised if the information provided results in follow up investigations or action being taken.
You may contact the Municipality, by letter, filling in a form, e-mail, telephone, personal visit, or in any other way you like. You may if you wish remain anonymous.
The Municipality must investigate the situation.
On receipt of any information concerning abuse, the Municipality has a legal obligation to evaluate if there is the basis for an investigation of the child’s circumstances. In cases of assault on a child or young person, authorities can exchange information between the Municipality, police and prosecution authorities, and also the relevant authority if a children’s home is involved.
The Appeals Board may also be involved.
If you feel that the Municipality has not dealt with your report quickly enough, or taken the matter seriously enough, then you can inform the Appeals Board of your concerns. More information about reporting obligations can be found on the web page for the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Danish National Appeals Board for reporting about abused children - and download the notification form. (You are now leaving the Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality web site.)
Read more about the notification obligations on the webside of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing. (You are now leaving the Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality web site.)
Advice about reporting.
If you are unsure about the well-being of a child, then you may telephone the Parents Phone at Children’s Terms:
Read more about the Parents Phone – Children’s Terms (opens separate page)
