Season Two Research Files
Episode Four
11:00am-12:00pm
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
Every state and the District of Columbia has statutes identifying people who are required by law to report child abuse and under what circumstances they are to report. Any person, however, may report incidents of abuse or neglect. Today, reporting laws embrace all professionals working with children. Individuals typically designated as mandatory reporters include physicians, nurses, hospital personnel, dentists, medical examiners, coroners, mental health professionals and social workers, school personnel, law enforcement officials and child care providers. In approximately 18 states, any person who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report. Typically, a report must be made when the reporter suspects or has reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.
If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you should call your local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency or the CPS agency in the state in which the abuse occurred. You may also contact the national toll free number:
Childhelp® USA National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453) TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD
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