Report Abuse
How to Report Adult and Elder Abuse or Neglect
If you suspect abuse or neglect of an elder (adults 60 years or older) or an adult at risk (adults 18-59 years old) who is a resident of Brown County Wisconsin, please contact our Adult Protective Services (APS) intake line at 920-448-7885. For immediate medical or mental health emergencies please contact 911.
APS Intake Line
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
920-448-7885
Email Referrals: bc.hs.aps@browncountywi.gov
Online referrals: APS Referral Form
Please leave a message and it will be returned within 24 business hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
If a referral needs to be made after hours, please contact the Crisis Center at 920-436-8888.
What is Abuse/Neglect?
Abuse and/or neglect includes any physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect by others or self-neglect. A referral should also include a disability category for APS to assign a case, such as developmental disability, frail elder (60 and older), physical disability, mental illness, dementia, or a brain injury.
Things to Know About Reporting Abuse and/or Neglect:
- The nature of abuse allegations is sensitive, and a report often has an impact on families and individuals. The APS investigator will attempt to establish communication in the least intrusive way possible.
- The person who is the subject of the abuse or neglect report may refuse the investigation or services. If the person is competent and refuses the investigation, the investigation ceases. (Competence refers to an individual’s capacity to make informed decisions and not to the quality of the decisions.)
- Commitment to protecting a competent person’s right to make their own decisions is a guiding principle during the investigation process.
- When making a referral to Brown County APS, referral sources are kept confidential.
A referral can be made to APS anytime abuse or neglect of an adult at risk (ages 18-59) or an elder at risk (ages 60+) is suspected. If unsure about making a referral, it is usually best to refer it.
What Happens When a Referral is Made to Adult Protective Services?
- APS determines if the referral meets criteria and Wisconsin State Statutes to be assigned and investigated. At a minimum, there must be an abuse and a disability category that is reported.
- When APS receives a report, that is investigated, the goal of the investigation is to determine if the reported concern can be substantiated or not. If abuse is substantiated, APS will work to mitigate any further risk to the alleged victim/person.
- A visit by an APS case worker to the home of the adult alleged to be at risk.
- Observation by APS case worker of the behavior of the adult alleged to be at risk.
- The adult alleged to be at risk will be interviewed. APS could also conduct interviews with other people who know the person and their situation depending on the nature of the relationship to the adult alleged to be at risk.
- APS case workers may review past/present health/medical and/or treatment records or financial records.