Child in danger: how to report it?
Verified 13 October 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
In what cases is a child considered to be in danger?
The child is considered to be in danger if certain aspects of his or her life are seriously endangered or are likely to be endangered:
- Health or physical development
- Security
- Morality
- Education or intellectual development
- Emotional or social development
Who to contact?
If you are a victim or if you are aware of a child abuse situation, you should call 119.
Who shall I contact
Children in danger - 119
A phone number for any child or adolescent victim of violence or anyone concerned about a child's situation that is in danger or at risk of being in danger.
By telephone
119 (free and confidential call)
24/7
119 does not appear on phone records.
By foreigner phone
01 53 06 38 94
On www.allo119.gouv.fr
- Real-time chat for children under 21 (Mondays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
- Sign Language Translation Platform for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Online collection form to file a situation
You can contact the emergency services.
You can also contact the services of the department: child welfare (ASE) or the unit for gathering information of concern (Crip).
Who shall I contact
In cases of exceptional seriousness (e.g. abuse or sexual violence), direct mail can be sent to public prosecutor.
Who shall I contact
Exceptionally, the children's judge may intervene, of its own motion, where it considers it necessary (to take action of its own motion).
Who can and who should report?
Any person who witnesses or suspects a child in danger or at risk of being in danger duty report the facts.
It may be a private individual or a professional (social worker, doctor, etc.).
The child may also report his or her own situation or that of another child known to him or her.
FYI
the report may be anonymous, whether by mail or by telephone.
False Alerts: What are the consequences?
Voluntarily alerting the authorities to facts that are known to be inaccurate amounts to slander. This offense is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of €45,000.
Do not warn: What are the consequences?
Failure to report a known case of ill-treatment can be punished by 3 years in prison and €45,000 of fine.
Reporting procedure and educational assistance
Criminal prosecution (Article 434-3)
Penalty for failure to assist a person in danger
Collection and processing of information of concern by the departmental council
Evaluation following information of concern
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
National Child in Danger Hotline (SNATED)