suspected child abuse

you are a mandated reporter

Mandated reporters are individuals who are mandated by law to report known or suspected child maltreatment. They are primarily people who have contact with children through their employment. Mandated reporters are required by the state of California to report any known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to the county child welfare department or to a local law enforcement agency.

As a Mandated Reporter, you are required by law to report any suspected child abuse. 

You do not need proof, just reasonable suspicion.

If you are at all concerned that there is a possibility of abuse or neglect, you must report.

What is NOT Child Abuse?

• Although it’s difficult to see children who are homeless, the fact that a child is homeless is not, in and of itself, a reason to report a child as being abused or neglected.

• Injuries caused by two children fighting during a mutual altercation

• An injury caused by reasonable and necessary force used by a peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment

• Reasonable and necessary force used by public school officials to quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to a person or damage to property

• Not receiving medical treatment for religious reasons

What to do if you suspect a child is being abused

1. TALK TO THE CHILD

2. REPORT

When:  Immediately!

How to report:

1. 1. 1. 1. Complete a Suspected Child Abuse Report form. You can find this form at the following:

            • At your work site

            • At the CARD Office

            • Online at https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/childabuse/ss_8572.pdf 

         2. Call Butte County Child Welfare at 800-400-0902

         3. Email the report to DESSChildAbuseReport@buttecounty.net 

Remember, you are only reporting your suspicions. Whether your suspicions are correct will be determined through the investigation. There is no penalty or harm if your suspicion turns out to be unfounded.

HOW TO TALK TO THE CHILD  IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE

• Pick your time and place carefully. Choose a space where the child is comfortable or ask them where they'd like to talk. Avoid talking in front of someone who may be causing the harm.

• Be aware of your tone. If you start the conversation in a serious tone, you may scare the child, and they may be more likely to give you the answers they think you want to hear—rather than the truth. Try to make the conversation more casual. A non-threatening tone will help put the child at ease and ultimately provide you with more accurate information.

• Talk to the child directly. Ask questions that use the child’s own vocabulary, but that are a little vague. For example, “Has someone been touching you?” In this context “touching” can mean different things, but it is likely a word the child is familiar with. The child can respond with questions or comments to help you better gauge the situation like, “No one touches me except my mom at bath time,” or “You mean like the way my cousin touches me sometimes?” Understand that sexual abuse can feel good to the child, so asking if someone is “hurting” them may not bring out the information that you are looking for.

• Listen and follow up. Allow the child to talk freely. Wait for them to pause, and then follow up on points that made you feel concerned.

• Avoid judgment and blame. Avoid placing blame by using “I” questions and statements. Rather than beginning your conversation by saying, “You said something that made me worry…” consider starting your conversation with the word “I.” For example: “I am concerned because I heard you say that you are not allowed to sleep in your bed by yourself.”

• Reassure the child. Make sure that the child knows that they are not in trouble. Let them know you are simply asking questions because you are concerned about them.

• Be patient. Remember that this conversation may be very frightening for the child. Many perpetrators make threats about what will happen if someone finds out about the abuse. They may tell a child that they will be put into foster care or threaten them or their loved ones with physical violence.

What happens after the report is filed?

After a report is filed, the allegations will be investigated. The investigation will result in one of three outcomes.

• Unfounded report – the report is false, or does not involve abuse, such as an accidental injury

• Substantiated report – it is determined that child abuse has occurred

• Inconclusive report – there is insufficient evidence to determine whether or not abuse has occurred

You may not hear or see signs of an investigation right away. Even if the report is unfounded or inconclusive, your report was important and builds a file for the child. If multiple reports are received from multiple people in the child’s life, there will be a better chance that further investigations will take place.

Continue to play the supportive role you always have in that child’s life. If making the report means that you can’t have this relationship anymore, know that by reporting you are helping that child stay safe.

the laws

• What if you don’t report suspected abuse?

According to state and federal laws, any Mandated Reporter who neglects their duty to report can end up being found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.

• Protections for Mandated Reporters

Mandated reporters cannot be prosecuted because they are not civilly or criminally liable for their reports. This is true even if they learned of or witnessed the suspected child abuse or neglect outside of their professional duties.

Although mandated reporters must provide their names when making a report, the identity of the mandated reporter and the report are confidential.

• Remember: you are only reporting your suspicions. Whether your suspicions are correct will be determined through the investigation. There is no penalty or harm if your suspicion turns out to be unfounded.

Resources

• Butte County Child Welfare

800-400-0902

www.buttecounty.net/dess/Services/Childrens-Services

• California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Information

www.mandatedreporterca.com