Child Abuse and Neglect 

The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is a state-designated Regional Diagnostic Center for child abuse and neglect. We provide services for infants, children and adolescents who are suspected victims of abuse, as well as their families. This unique, private environment is designed to maintain confidentiality.

The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House addresses all aspects of child abuse while ensuring patients and families are treated with respect and compassion.

• Individual and group therapy, including play and art therapy
• Medical and mental health examinations
• Parenting skills and family therapy
• Professional education

Dedicated services are provided by professionals with clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Our team includes:

• Advance practice nurses
• Board-certified child abuse pediatricians
• Licensed creative arts therapists
• Licensed psychologists
• Licensed social workers
• Registered nurses

No Hit Zone

The No Hit Zone’s (NHZ) principles are:

• No adult shall hit another adult
• No adult shall hit a child
• No child shall hit another child
• No child shall hit an adult

We are the first health care provider in New Jersey to become a NHZ, for all our hospitals across New Jersey. And the first health network in the country to initiate a NHZ throughout multiple sites.

No Hit Zones create an environment of comfort and safety for parents, families and staff present in our facility. No Hit Zones set a precedent within the community and establish a commitment to the promotion of effective parenting techniques.

The No Hit Zone (NHZ) program, established in 2005, is an evidence-informed program utilizing educational sessions, eye-catching materials and practical approaches to encourage healthy interpersonal relationships and safe spaces to reduce the likelihood of physical abuse. With funding support from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, we are able to help more than 14,000 people with NHZ education and painless/productive skills training. This leads to better, more effective parenting, reduced child maltreatment, and improved healthy behaviors and mental health.

No Hit Zones are incorporated into businesses, school, places of worship and now even your home!

State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families

Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse in New Jersey is mandated by law to immediately report this information to the State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families at its toll-free, 24-hour, seven-day a week hotline.

Call 1-877-NJ-ABUSE