Child sexual abuse is a serious problem — most often committed by people we know and trust. Experts estimate that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. What to do if you suspect child sexual abuse: Learning about a child’s disclosure of abuse can be a difficult time for parents and caregivers. The DCF hotline makes it easy to share your concerns and get answers to your questions with a trained social worker. You do not need to be certain abuse has occurred to call. DCF's 24-hour child protection hotline: 1-800-649-5285.