Adult Protective Services: Report Alleged Abuse

If you suspect an elder adult or adult at risk has experienced, is experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, call your county APS helpline.

If the suspected abuse is an emergency—a life-threatening situation or one involving immediate danger—call the police or 911 immediately.

How to make a report

If you believe someone you know is being abused, neglected, or financially exploited, you can get help. Contact the county APS agency where the adult at risk or elder adult at risk lives. Find contact information for APS agencies below.

Statewide and national elder abuse reporting resources

If an adult at risk is age 60 or older, you can choose to call a statewide number to report elder abuse. Reports made to the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline will be sent to the county of responsibility. Call the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline at 833-586-0107 or make a report online.

If you would like to make a report about someone who lives outside of Wisconsin, you can find the appropriate APS contact through the Elder Care Locator Hotline at 800-677-1116.

Why should you report?

Most older adults or adults with disabilities live independently without assistance. However, some face abuse or neglect and need trained professionals to advocate on their behalf. Others may simply be struggling with routine activities and benefit from in-home support services to maintain their health and independence. APS helps by assessing everyone’s unique needs, then developing a service plan to maintain their safety, health, and independence.

Who can make an APS report?

Anyone can make an APS report. The identity of the reporter and information reported is confidential and protected by law. Below are groups of people who report to APS.

• Family members
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Caregivers

Wisconsin relies on voluntary reporting of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation. However, there are certain professionals that are required by law to make reports of suspected abuse or neglect. These professionals are referred to as limited required reporters. These professionals are: 

• Licensed health care providers, as defined in Wis. Stat. § 155.01(7).
• Employees of any entity that is licensed, certified, approved by, or registered with the Department of Health Services (DHS).
• Licensed professionals, including social workers, professional counselors, or marriage and family therapists certified under Wis. Stat. ch. 457.

What if I'm not sure?

Do you have a “feeling” about a situation but aren’t sure of the details? APS professionals are trained to handle these situations. Based on your report, the agency will assess the situation and determine how best to respond. Information about the reporter is never shared with the subject of the investigation.

What happens when you make a report?

After you share your concern with the APS agency, APS staff will respond to the report of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation. They will investigate the concerns and work with the individual at risk to link to services that support their ability to live safely in their preferred community or placement.

APS respects a person’s right to make their own decisions and usually only provides services when the adult with disabilities or older adult wants them. Sometimes there is a limited set of circumstances in which a person is believed to be incompetent due to a permanent condition that impairs their cognitive ability and places their safety at risk without intervention. In these cases, APS may work with a person’s legal decision maker or petition the court for legal protections, such as the appointment of a guardian.

APS links adults who may have been abused with services that can help them live in the community or their preferred placement. APS personnel work with law enforcement, long-term care providers, medical personnel, financial institutions, and other community partners to meet each person’s unique needs for care and protection.

Due to confidentiality, information about an APS investigation cannot be shared.