Survivors and advocates tell Assembly: end anonymous SCR calls, adopt confidential reporting

Survivors of domestic and family violence, legal aid attorneys and community groups told the Assembly committee that anonymous reporting to the Statewide Central Register has been weaponized against survivors and other vulnerable people.

Multiple speakers described repeated, traumatic investigations triggered by anonymous or malicious calls. Community organizer Shamara Kelly said abusers and their allies use anonymous reports to "isolate and hurt survivors," while parent Amanda Pumarajo described multiple unfounded investigations that she said traumatized her children. Advocates argued that confidential reporting—where a caller must provide contact information that is kept confidential by OCFS—would deter retaliatory calls while preserving legitimate avenues for people who fear retaliation but still wish to be reachable.

Witnesses proposed complementary operational changes: a red‑flag system to identify repeat callers who make false reports, improved hotline screening questions, and stronger public education so the public understands when to use the SCR versus resource lines such as OCFS HEARS or local prevention lines. Several legal groups said confidential reporting could be implemented while preserving source confidentiality in practice and pointed to recent reforms in other states as precedents.

OCFS acknowledged the difference between legitimate anonymous calls and harassing ones and said staff attempt to elicit identifying information and to document fear when a caller seeks anonymity. Agency leaders agreed to examine data and work with the committee on potential legislative and administrative solutions.

Next steps discussed at the hearing include further data publication to quantify the share of anonymous calls that result in indicated reports and legislative follow‑up on bills to create confidential reporting and anti‑harassment enforcement mechanisms.