# Child Abuse Help Resources - South Carolina ## Emergency Contacts - **National Child Abuse Hotline: Childhelp** - **Phone:** 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) - **Text:** Text "HELLO" to 741741 for immediate support - **Website:** [https://www.childhelp.org](https://www.childhelp.org/) ## Statewide Child Protection Services - **South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS)** - **Phone:** 1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487) - **Website:** [https://dss.sc.gov](https://dss.sc.gov/) - **Office Locations:** Statewide - **Services Provided:** Child protective services, emergency shelter, and family support. ## Regional Child Protection Services ### Region/City 1 (Charleston) - **Charleston County DSS** - **Phone:** 843-958-3500 - **Website:** [https://www.charlestoncounty.org](https://www.charlestoncounty.org/) - **Office Location:** 176 Croghan Spur Road, Charleston, SC 29407 - **Specialized Services:** Child abuse case management, family preservation services. ### Region/City 2 (Columbia) - **Richland County DSS** - **Phone:** 803-898-7310 - **Website:** [https://www.richlandcountysc.gov](https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/) - **Office Location:** 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29204 - **Specialized Services:** Parenting classes, child abuse investigations, and legal referrals. ## Reporting Child Abuse - **South Carolina Child Abuse Reporting Hotline** - **Phone:** 1-888-227-3487 - **Text:** Not available - **Website:** [https://dss.sc.gov](https://dss.sc.gov/) - **How to Report:** Call the hotline or visit the DSS website for online reporting. Provide detailed information about the situation, including the child’s identity, location, and the nature of the abuse. ## Online Child Protection Services - **South Carolina Child Abuse Reporting Website** - **Phone/Text (if applicable):** 1-888-227-3487 - **Website:** [https://dss.sc.gov](https://dss.sc.gov/) - **Features:** Anonymous reporting, online guidance for victims and their families. ## Educational Resources - **SC Child Abuse Prevention Handbook** - **Website:** [https://dss.sc.gov](https://dss.sc.gov/) - **Description:** Provides information on identifying, preventing, and responding to child abuse. Includes guides for professionals, teachers, and parents. ## Other Resources - **Children's Advocacy Centers of South Carolina** - **Phone:** 1-803-779-4288 - **Website:** [https://www.sccac.org](https://www.sccac.org/) - **Services Provided:** Victim advocacy, forensic interviews, therapeutic services for child abuse victims. --- _Updated as of January 2025. For updates or corrections, please contact South Carolina DSS at 1-888-227-3487._