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A report should be made when there is
a reasonable cause to believe that a child or adolescent has
been abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused.
A report of suspected child abuse is only a request for an
investigation. The person making the report does not need
to prove the abuse. Investigation and validation of child
abuse and/or neglect is the responsibility of child protective
service workers and law enforcements officials.
Anyone can report child abuse including children. A person
making a report in good faith is immune from both civil and
criminal liability. The identity of the reporting person is
confidential and only subject to disclosure with the consent
of the reporting person or by judicial process.
In addition, there are many professionals who
MUST report child abuse according to the
Child Protection Law. They are called mandated reporters.
A physician, physician assistant, dentist, dental hygienist,
medical examiner, nurse, emergency medical care worker, psychologist,
marriage or family therapist, social worker, member of the
clergy, law enforcement officer, child care worker, school
administrator, school counselor or teacher who has reason
to believe a child under 18 has been abused, is mandated by
law to report the suspected abuse. Failure to do so is a crime.
Notification to a supervisor does not
relieve the mandated reporter’s obligation to report
child abuse to Children’s Protective Services.
When reporting, the following information will
be requested…
- Name, age and gender of the child and family
members
- Description of suspected abuse
- Current condition of child
- Address, phone numbers and/or directions
to child’s home
A report can be made at any Department of Human Services Office,
formerly known as FIA.
Click
here for a list of local reporting
agencies
A social worker from DHS and/or law enforcement agency will
investigate the reported abuse. The investigation will result
in one of the following conclusions: abuse or neglect ruled
out, uncertain findings, or abuse and neglect confirmed. In
confirmed cases a service plan is developed to prevent the
reoccurrence of abuse to the child. If additional incidents
of abuse occur after the initial report has been made, it
is very important to make another report.
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