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Frequently Asked Questions Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in ...

Frequently Asked Questions Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in ...

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The report<strong>in</strong>g laws ask for the follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation, to the extent that you have it:<br />

1) The name <strong>and</strong> home address of the child <strong>and</strong> the parent or <strong>in</strong>dividual responsible<br />

for the care of the child;<br />

2) The present location of the child;<br />

3) The age of the child;<br />

4) Names <strong>and</strong> ages of other children <strong>in</strong> the home;<br />

5) The nature <strong>and</strong> extent of <strong>in</strong>juries or sexual abuse or neglect of the child;<br />

6) Any <strong>in</strong>formation relayed by the <strong>in</strong>dividual mak<strong>in</strong>g the report of previous possible<br />

physical or sexual abuse or neglect;<br />

7) Information available to the <strong>in</strong>dividual report<strong>in</strong>g that might aid <strong>in</strong> establish<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

cause of the <strong>in</strong>jury or neglect;<br />

8) The identity of the <strong>in</strong>dividual or <strong>in</strong>dividuals responsible for the abuse or neglect.<br />

J. If I do not have all of the <strong>in</strong>formation listed above, should I talk to the child to<br />

get more <strong>in</strong>formation.<br />

Generally, no. Unless you have a professional relationship with the child <strong>in</strong> which<br />

seek<strong>in</strong>g personal <strong>in</strong>formation from the child is the norm (e.g., a counselor), you are<br />

discouraged from <strong>in</strong>terview<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>dividual to obta<strong>in</strong> more <strong>in</strong>formation. Please simply<br />

report the <strong>in</strong>formation that you do have, <strong>and</strong> child protective authorities will take<br />

responsibility for <strong>in</strong>terview<strong>in</strong>g the child to obta<strong>in</strong> any miss<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation.<br />

K. When an <strong>in</strong>dividual makes a report, is his or her name given to the victim or<br />

<strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>in</strong>volved?<br />

The name of the person who makes a report concern<strong>in</strong>g abuse or maltreatment is kept <strong>in</strong><br />

strict confidence <strong>and</strong> is not given to the victim or other <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>in</strong>volved. Individuals<br />

who make reports are encouraged to give their names <strong>and</strong> contact <strong>in</strong>formation to the<br />

person tak<strong>in</strong>g the report so that additional <strong>in</strong>formation may be obta<strong>in</strong>ed at a later date if<br />

necessary. If an <strong>in</strong>dividual does not want to disclose his/her name, the report is still<br />

accepted.<br />

In some situations, child protective authorities may seek to <strong>in</strong>terview the <strong>in</strong>dividual who<br />

made a report as part of their <strong>in</strong>vestigation of the suspected maltreatment. Information<br />

obta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> an <strong>in</strong>terview that takes place <strong>in</strong> the course of an <strong>in</strong>vestigation may be part of<br />

the eventual CPS determ<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>and</strong> any result<strong>in</strong>g proceed<strong>in</strong>gs related to the maltreatment<br />

<strong>in</strong>cident.<br />

L. Why do I have to report child abuse <strong>and</strong> neglect to the <strong>in</strong>stitution, <strong>and</strong> what will<br />

happen to that <strong>in</strong>formation?<br />

7

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