Child Abuse

Please refer to immediate practical matters for additional urgent needs and concerns. This section gives a quick overview of specific types of crimes or incidents that you may have experienced. At the end of each section is a list of related resources under Agencies involved.

Contact info for agencies involved is in RESOURCES.

Detectives from NOPD’s Special Victims Section will investigate.

Children are particularly vulnerable to abuse, but they may be too afraid to share or don’t understand what has happened. Those who have experienced prior trauma are often at greater risk.

  • Try to get the child and supportive family members professional and behavioral assistance from agencies listed below.

  • For Mandatory Reporting and Medical matters, see our Sexual Assault section.

  • The DA has a Children’s Advocate for child victims.

  • To learn more about childhood trauma and mental health, see our Helping Children Cope section or visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/

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Criminal legal agencies involved

NOPD Special Victims Division; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Clerk Connect (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); Crime Victims Compensation (CVC) (financial help)

Forensic medical exams (to get a sexual assault/rape kit for a child): Children’s Hospital, Children’s Advocacy Centers

Groups you can reach out to for help

Department of Child and Family Services (link to report abuse); Children’s Hospital; Children’s Advocacy Centers; Children’s Bureau; New Orleans Family Justice Center NOFJC; Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response STAR (if sexual abuse); Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights LCCR

Elder Abuse

These are intentional or negligent acts causing harm or serious risk of harm to an older adult, such as physical, sexual and psychological abuse, neglect and abandonment, and/or financial exploitation.

  • This may occur in private homes or care facilities and can involve family members, caregivers, family, friends, or strangers. Some indications are unexplained bruises, fractures, burns, fearfulness.

  • To report abuse: LA Elderly Protective Services (age 60+): 1 (833) 577-6532 or (225) 342-0144 (leave message if needed)

  • To report physical or sexual abuse, or to remain anonymous, you MUST call the toll-free APS hotline at 1 (800) 898-4910.

  • Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services (Dept of Health) Helpline: 1 (866) 758-5035.

  • Helpful resources throughout Louisiana are listed (per state) at the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

  • National Elder Fraud Hotline 1 (833) 372-8311.

Criminal legal agencies involved

NOPD Special Victims; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Clerk Connect (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) (victim-survivor compensation)

Groups you can reach out to for help

LA Elderly Protective Services (60+): 1 (833) 577-6532 or (225) 342-0144 (may need to leave message); Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services (Dept of Health) helpline: 1 (866) 758-5035; NOAGE (support for older LGBTQ+ adults in New Orleans area)