Official State of Rhode Island website

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals State of Rhode Island

Reporting Abuse

It is required by law to report any and all suspected occurrences of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of people with developmental disabilities. To report abuse and serious incidents call the BHDDH Quality Assurance (QA) hotline at 401-462-2629. The hotline is open 24-hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

What is Abuse? 

Abuse is when someone treats another person bad. Abuse is harmful and can cause injuries. There are many different types of abuse. No type of abuse is okay. Types of abuse include: 

  1. Physical abuse is someone hurting your body and causing injuries on purpose. This can be hitting, biting, hair pulling, and more.
  2. Sexual abuse is someone making sexual comments or contact with you that you do not want. This may be someone touching your privates or making you touch them. Someone making you take pictures, say things, or look at things about sex are other examples.
  3. Verbal abuse is someone saying and doing things that hurts your feelings. Another word for verbal abuse is emotional abuse or psychological abuse. This can be yelling, swearing, and bullying. Verbal abuse can be threatening you and making you feel afraid.
  4. Material or financial abuse is someone using you for your money or belongings. This can be someone stealing from you, making you give them things, or not letting you use your money.
  5. Mistreatment is someone treating you badly. This can be someone giving you the wrong medicine or treatment on purpose. This can be someone stopping you from doing things and being with others.
  6. Neglect is someone not helping you when they are supposed to. This can be someone not getting you to a doctor when you are hurt or sick. This can be someone not giving you food or helping you with hygiene.

Help in the Community

There are many community agencies that provide phone support to people who need help. You can call the agencies for help any time, day or night. Many also have an online chat option. Some of the agency contacts include:  

  1. Helpline RI at 1-800-494-8100
  2. Day One at 1-800-494-8100
  3. Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center (BVAC) at 401-723-3057
  4. BH Link at 988
  5. 988 Lifeline at 988

Call 911 if you are in danger and need help right away.

There are many other resources to help you learn more about staying safe from abuse. One resource to explore is the R3 app. This app offers a fun, interactive way to learn what abuse is and how to respond to it. You can download the app on your smartphone or tablet for free. 

One important note about the R3 app is that it was made for the state of Massachusetts. When the R3 app shares tips on how to report abuse, it may share the Massachusetts abuse hotline. Please know that if you live in Rhode Island and you are trying to report abuse of a person with a developmental disability, you must call the BHDDH QA hotline at 401-462-2629.

This page was updated 4/3/25.