MANDATORY REPORTING

Which is most prevalent?

Physical Abuse ..... 28.3%

Sexual Abuse ......   20.7%

Emotional Neglect  14.8%

Emotional Abuse ... 10.6%

Physical Neglect. ...   9.9%

More than 70% of the children who died as a result of child abuse or neglect were two years of age or younger. More than 80% were not yet old enough for kindergarten. 

Act or omission where child subject to sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, emotional abuse or prostitution; where child is in need of food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision because parent or guardian fails to do so; where child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, burns, fractures, etc.; or circumstances indicate a condition that may not be the product of an accidental occurrence.

Basis of Reporting of abuse/neglect?

Reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child is subject to circumstances or conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect

Is there a penalty for false reporting or failure to report?

Yes.  Willful violation: Class 3 misdemeanor plus liability for proximately caused damages.

What are some of the indicators of abuse or neglect?

Please note that not any single indicator proves that abuse is taking place, but the repeated presence of an indicator or a combination of indicators should alert educators to the possibility of abuse.

Learning disorders

Behavior problems such as aggression or withdrawal

Below grade-level performance

Delays in the ability to speak and to understand spoken language

Psychosomatic illnesses

Poor coordination, deficiencies in motor skills

Low self-esteem

Clinging behavior

Severe emotional disturbance

Some suggestions on how to respond to a disclosure

Remain Calm

Keep an open mind and don’t make judgments. ƒ

Support the child with active listening.

Find a quiet, private place to talk to the child.

Reassure the child that he/she has done the right thing by telling someone.

Listen to the child without interruption; let him/her talk openly about the situation and record concrete information.

Tell the child that there is help available.

Reassure the child that you will do your best to protect and support him/her.

Let the child know you must report the abuse to someone who has helped other children like him/her and their families.

Report the incident to the proper authorities.

Let the child know what will happen when the report is made (if you have appropriate information).

Seek out your own support person(s) to help you work through your feelings about the disclosure (if needed). ƒBe aware of personal issues and how they affect your perception.

What don't I do?

DON’T:

Promise confidentiality. 

Express panic or shock.

Convey anger or impatience if the child is not ready to discuss the abuse.

Make negative comments about the perpetrator.

Disclose the information indiscriminately. Tell only those adults who need the information to protect and support the child. School personnel have a legal* and moral obligation to make a report if child abuse or neglect is suspected.

School personnel should NOT investigate the situation. Investigation is the job of child protective services or law enforcement. The verbal report must immediately be made to your local child protection agency as specified by school policies and legal statutes.