Know

Think about Kate, whom you met in the Explore section of the previous lessons. Think about the day her teacher noticed bruising or the day her teacher overheard Kate’s stepmother talking about whipping a child. If she were a child in your program, would you know what to do to help? Would you know exactly who to call and what to say? Would you take action like Kate’s teachers did?

By the end of this lesson, we hope you will answer “yes” to all these questions. The specific procedures and policies for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect varies across states . This lesson will provide an overview of reporting procedures, but you will be responsible for identifying your specific reporting procedures in the Apply section of this lesson.

How to Report Child Abuse

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you must make a report to local Child Protective Services or law enforcement. You can find out where to call by visiting the Child Welfare Information Gateway’s state reporting numbers website. Call the reporting number relevant to your state and provide the following information:

• Name of victim
• Age of victim
• Name and contact information for parents or guardians
• Reasons for suspected abuse or neglect
• Description and location of victim’s physical injuries (if applicable)
• Information freely disclosed by victim
• Current location of victim
• Known information regarding incident or chronology of events
• You may be asked if you are a mandated reporter (several states require mandated reporters to disclose their identity)
• You may be asked if you would like to disclose your identity

As a mandated reporter, it is good practice to document your call.

• Who you spoke to during the call
• What time you made the call
• What information you were able to provide

After the Report

Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect can be a stressful event. It is important to mentally prepare yourself for what happens after the call.

In most states, your report will be evaluated by Child Protective Services. If there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation, a caseworker will initiate the investigation. Children, families, and caregivers may be contacted and interviewed. CPS will determine whether the claim is substantiated and whether the child is safe in the home. If the report of abuse involves alleged criminal acts, law enforcement will be contacted and the investigation will be conducted jointly.

Regardless of where you work, it is unlikely you will ever hear the results of your report. Confidentiality laws protect the families’ privacy. Also know that it is not uncommon for families to withdraw their child from the program after an allegation of abuse. The report you made may be the last piece of information you have about a child’s situation, but you should feel confident that you fulfilled your responsibilities. If the child and the family remain in your program, your team can continue to help and support the family by focusing on enhancing protective factors in the family and community.

Sometimes staff members worry that they could be sued or punished for making a report. This is not the case. You are protected by law as a mandated reporter. A family cannot sue you for making a report in good faith. Likewise, you cannot be retaliated against for making a report in good faith about a suspected incident in your program.

Common Concerns That Prevent Staff Members From Making Reports

Child and youth professionals often face difficult decisions when reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. Below are some common concerns — and the facts that can help you make a report with confidence.

1. We live in a small community. Will my report ruin the parent’s career? 
Child development program staff members sometimes worry that reporting suspected child abuse or neglect might impact a family member's career or get the individual “fired.” This can make staff members hesitant to make a report, but you should know that Child Protective Services want to keep victims of abuse safe. But they also want to help families work through their parenting issues so individuals can develop healthier relationships. Thinking about what happens to the career of a family member has no legal bearing on the requirement to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

2. I don’t want to “turn in” my coworker.
When you suspect a coworker or team member of child abuse or neglect, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. You might feel like you are “turning in” your coworker, and that is hard. Remember, though, that it is your job to keep children safe. You are a mandated reporter and must report your suspicions. Failure to do so can have devastating consequences for children and for yourself. Remember, you cannot be retaliated against in the workplace for your report. Talk to someone you trust if you need support.

3. What if I’m wrong, what if it’s not abuse?
As a mandated reporter, it is your duty to report, even if it is just a suspicion. You are not responsible to fully investigate the situation. It is your role to report observed and suspected abuse or neglect. It is your responsibility to keep children safe. Remember, you do not need to make the call alone, however you must personally make the call. You can seek guidance on reporting from a trainer, coach, or administrator. If your trainer, coach, or administrator is involved in the abuse or neglect, follow the chain of command to the person above them. The important thing is to make the call, even if it is based on just a suspicion, to protect the safety of the child.

4. Will they tell the family that I was the one to make the report?
All jurisdictions have provisions in statute to maintain the confidentiality of abuse and neglect records. The identity of the reporter is specifically protected from disclosure to the individual suspected of abuse in 44 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. This protection is maintained even when other information from the report may be disclosed. Release of the reporter’s identity is allowed in some jurisdictions under specific circumstances or to specific departments or officials, for example, when information is needed for conducting an investigation or family assessment or upon a finding that the reporter knowingly made a false report. In six states, the District of Columbia, and Guam, the reporter can waive confidentiality and give consent to the release of their name.

How Reporting Abuse or Neglect Might Affect You

You will feel a range of emotions after making a report: frustrated, angry, disappointed, nervous, relieved. All of these emotions are expected. Make sure you talk to someone to help you deal with the emotions you are feeling. The following video helps explain what you might experience after a report and how you can get help.

See

Caring for children can be a stressful job. There can be a fine line between inappropriate caregiving practices and child abuse. When in doubt, talk with your coach. In the Child Abuse: Prevention course, you will learn more about positive guidance and discipline strategies.

Watch this video to learn more about reporting procedures from the Family Advocacy Program.

Now learn about what to expect after the call.

Do

As you learned in Lesson 1, you have an obligation to report a suspected case of abuse or neglect. It is not your job to identify the abuser. If you suspect abuse, you need to make a report and allow investigators to determine if abuse or neglect is occurring.

• Observe children for signs of abuse or neglect.
• Be familiar with reporting procedures for your installation, state.
• Post reporting procedures in your classroom or know where they are posted in your program.
• Prepare yourself for the call. Be sure you have the correct spelling of the child’s legal name, the address of the child’s parents or guardians, and all the details outlined earlier in this lesson.
• If you suspect abuse or neglect, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can help you find emergency resources.