P.O. Box
201056
333 E. Washington Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-1000
Mandated Reporter
Making a report of suspected child abuse is difficult. There are always nagging doubts about how the parents will react, what the outcome will be, and whether or not the report will put the child at greater risk.
The best way to minimize the difficulty of reporting is to be fully prepared for the experience and to understand the reporting requirements and the process that is triggered by making a report.
Keep in mind, that Child Protective Services only investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect perpetrated or allowed by the child's parent, caretaker or guardian. Allegations involving perpetrators other than the parents, caretakers, or guardians are referred to law enforcement for investigation.
If you are a mandated reporter, you are required to report. If you suspect abuse, you are responsible for reporting it.
What is the standard for reporting child abuse?
"Reasonable suspicion" is the standard for reporting child abuse and neglect. This means that, based on your training and experience, you have reason to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. Ask yourself, "do I have serious concern for the child's safety and well being?"
Use the following information as a guideline for recognizing indicators of abuse and neglect:
Physical Abuse: Any act which results in non-accidental injury.
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Neglect: Neglectful treatment or maltreatment of a child by parents or caregiver under circumstances indicating harm or threatening harm to the child's health or welfare.
Severe Neglect: Failure of parent or caregiver to protect a child from severe malnutrition or a medically diagnosed failure to thrive. Failure to provide adequate food, clothing or medical care.
General Neglect:
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Sexual Abuse: Any activity between an adult, or older child, and a child which results in sexual arousal or satisfaction of the adult or older child.
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Emotional Abuse: Emotional maltreatment consists of emotional abuse and deprivation or neglect.
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Who Are Mandated Reporters?
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How to Make a Report
Many schools and agencies have developed special procedures for reporting suspected child abuse. Whatever your organization's internal procedure, suspected child abuse must be reported immediately or as soon as possible by calling the Child Protective Services 24-hour hotline - 468-1333, or local law enforcement.
This must be followed by a written report within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident (Suspected Child Abuse Report SS 8872) and submitted to the same agency.
Other things to know
- Medical personnel are required by law to complete, even without the consent of the child's parent or caretaker, Department of Justice Form 900 "Medical Report - Suspected Child Abuse.
- If the suspected abuse is sexual, medical personnel who conduct the examination must also complete either Office of Criminal Justice Planning Form 925 "Medical Report" or the OCJP Form 923.
- As a mandated reporter you are responsible for reporting, not investigating suspected abuse.
- Mandated reporters are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to civil damage suits it they fail to report.
- The mandated reporter must give his or her name when reporting known or suspected child abuse to a child protective agency. The reporter's name is confidential, however, it may be disclosed only in very limited situations, as provided by law.
- When making a report it is necessary to provide to the reporting party the name of the child, the present location of the child, the nature and extent of the injury, and any other information that led to the report being made.
Where to Make a Report
Crime in progress:
Contact your local law enforcement agency immediately or call 9-1-1.All other incidents:
Contact Child Protective Services or the law enforcement agency in your community.
CPS Hotline (209) 468-1333
If You Suspect, Protect!
If your organization or
business would like a presentation regarding this subject, please call:
Dale Fritchen at 468-1544.
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