Maryland Department of Health
Developmental Disabilities Administration

Report Abuse

​​​​About > Contact > Report Abuse​​​​

If you see something, say something. 

If you have been abused or neglected, or think that someone else has been abused or neglected, call your DDA Regional Office​ right away!

Abuse and neglect will not be tolerated in any agency receiving funds from the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are abused at a much higher frequency than people without disabilities. Sometimes their abusers are the very people who are there to support them. 

It is your right to live, work, and have fun in a safe environment and to be treated with respect. It is against the law for someone to abuse or hurt you.

Abuse can be verbal, physical, sexual or emotional. Here are some examples of abuse:

  • Someone yelling at you or calling you names.
  • Taking your money or using your money on themselves.
  • Someone making you do things you don’t want to do.
  • Not allowing you to use the phone.
  • Hitting, slapping, pushing, threatening.
  • Touching you in private areas.​

Neglect can include not having your physical needs met. Here are some examples of neglect:

  • Not allowing you to have enough food
  • Not allowing you to have clothing you need
  • Not allowing you to access medical care or therapy that you need
  • Not allowing you to have shelter that you need ​
In Maryland, abuse means the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain or mental anguish. Actions considered willful include, but are not limited to, physical abuse; verbal abuse/Mental abuse; sexual abuse; involuntary seclusion. Neglect means the failure to provide proper care and attention to an individual that results in significant harm or jeopardy of harm to the individual’s health, safety, or well-being; failure to provide necessities such as food, clothing, essential medical treatment, adequate supervision, shelter or a safe environment.

If you believe you are being abused – tell someone – keep telling people until someone listens and helps you get out of that situation.

If you witness or suspect abuse or neglect of any individual receiving services, you are required to report it.​

​How do I report abuse or neglect?

  1. Follow Up - Immediately follow up to ensure the individual is safe and receives any additional supports needed.
  2. Report It - Immediately report the incident to your supervisor, to the Office of Health Care Quality at (410) 402-8094 or toll-free (877) 402-8220, and/or to your DDA Regional Office.
  3. If you are not hearing back from your supervisor, OCHQ, or your Regional Office, contact:
Anthony Jackson
Constituent Services Coordinator
DDA - Central Maryland Regional Office
1401 Severn St, Ste. 200, Baltimore, MD​ 21230
Cell: 410-456-7837
Fax: 410-767-5850

Anthony.Jackson@Maryland.gov​