When Will You Have a Legal Duty to Report Abuse September

Check out the additional FAQs on the campaign website or take the online training for mandatory child abuse and neglect reporters to learn more about the signs of child abuse or neglect and what happens after your call. A mandatory reporter is defined as a professional who is required by law to report known or suspected incidents of child abuse and/or neglect. Mandatory rapporteurs are part of the safety net that protects children and youth and is able to provide life-saving assistance to children in our community. Anyone listed in C.S.R. 19-3-304 is legally a mandatory filer in Colorado. If an appointed rapporteur has reason to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, or if he or she has ascertained that the child has been exposed to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably lead to abuse or neglect, he or she shall, without undue delay upon receipt of that information report, prepare or arrange for such a report to be submitted to the district department: that such a fact be reported to the district department. local law enforcement or through the child abuse hotline. Yes, there are legal consequences not to report. You could be charged with a Class 3 offence, face a $750 fine and/or up to six months in jail, and be held liable for what the law calls “approximate harm caused” if you fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Anyone in a community who knows or has reason to suspect child abuse or neglect can and should report. People who frequently work with children are often the first adults to see signs of child abuse and/or neglect. The child-friendly nature of their professions makes them uniquely qualified to protect children from abuse and/or neglect. Because mandatory filers are trained professionals, these reports are always more reliable than public reports and provide the agency with the best advice in needing child protection and services.

In addition, you, as a flagger of child abuse and/or neglect, may be summoned to allegations in civil or criminal proceedings. The victim`s parents and/or family members may be present at this hearing. Remember that it is important that you act as eyes and ears for the child`s safety net. If no cases of maltreatment are reported, adequate services will not be provided to children and families in need. Without your call, the abuse and/or neglect may continue. Colorado individuals or institutions that report allegations of child abuse and/or neglect “shall be exempt from any civil or criminal liability or termination of employment that may otherwise arise from such acts of participation, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such person`s conduct was intentional, gratuitous, and malicious” if he or she acted in “good faith,” that is, they did not make a statement that was reckless or without a reasonable basis for doing so. (a) the name of the child and the date of notification; Letters (C) and (D) may not be available for up to 60 days. Therefore, the information referred to in point (C) should reflect: the outcome of the evaluation has not yet been determined. If you would like additional information about the results of the assessment, please contact the District Clerk within ninety calendar days of receiving the report to the District Department.

If you work in an institutional setting, such as a school, hospital, or behavioral health program, reporting suspected child abuse and/or neglect to your supervisor does not relieve you of your reporting obligation, nor does your report relieve the institution of its reporting obligations. Colorado state law states that good faith is presumed unless it is challenged by the person who claims that the report was not prepared in good faith. A report of child abuse and/or neglect is your proof that you have fulfilled your mandate. In addition, the information referred to in point (D) should reflect: the provision of child safety services has not yet been determined. If you would like more information on whether the assessment resulted in child safety services, please contact the county case officer within ninety calendar days of the date the county department received the report. See PM-CW-2016-0002 for some mandatory reporting for more information. Depending on the incident, you may be asked to file a written report immediately or to contact law enforcement directly. The person receiving your call will give you instructions if necessary. The state of Colorado has child safety laws and policies, as well as agencies staffed by trained professionals who can help protect children and teens when a report is prepared. Mandatory journalists play a vital role in keeping children and teens safe in Colorado. They are on the front lines and can identify abused or neglected children.

The majority of calls received by child protection services come from mandatory filers. In fact, the Department of Child Care estimated that 75 percent of reports in Colorado in fiscal year 2013 came from mandatory filers, 15 percent from family members, and only 10 percent from the public. Yes. Child welfare services and their employees are required by law not to disclose the name of the mandatory notifier to the family. However, this confidentiality does not apply to reports to law enforcement authorities. The law requires the following information to be provided to the specified mandatory registrant within 30 days: (60 days from 31 December 2017). Are you a mandatory registrant? Have you taken the free online training? Colorado law states that the mandatory registrant must prepare such a report to the county department, local law enforcement agency, or through the Child Abuse Hotline System immediately upon receipt of this information report. Knowingly false statements are also punishable. (F) a statement that the reporting agent may request the updated information referred to in subparagraphs A to E of this subparagraph (II) within ninety calendar days of receipt of the report and information on the procedure to be followed to obtain updated information referred to in subparagraphs A to E of this subparagraph II.

Reporting is required when a mandatory reporter has reason to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or has observed that the child has been exposed to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably lead to the abuse or neglect. First of all, it`s the law and it`s your job. Mandatory rapporteurs are part of the safety net that protects children and young people, and they have the opportunity to provide life-saving assistance to children in our community. It is equally important that you report suspicions and knowledge of child abuse and/or neglect in the correct order: for each call, you must request and write a hotline identification number. As a mandatory reporter with a legal obligation to report concerns about child abuse or neglect, you can use the helpline ID as documentation for the call. State law C.R.S.19-3-304 describes who is legally required to report child abuse and/or neglect. The information on this page is intended to raise awareness and warn those who are unwittingly a mandatory registrant. The list was taken from C.R.S. 19-3-304. To check if you are a mandatory declarant, it is recommended that you read C.R.S. 19-3-304, consult a lawyer or your employer. In case of emergency, call 911.

They can ensure the immediate safety of a child and get medical attention if needed. If this is not an emergency, call 844-CO-4-KIDS (844-264-5437).