Who Should Report Suspected Child Sexual Abuse?

Anyone! If a child is in danger, they need help.

 

Mandated reporters of Child Sexual Abuse Are:

  • Physicians
  • Registered and Practical Nurses
  • Hospital Administrators
  • Health Care Providers
  • Dentists
  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Education Professionals
  • Principals, Teachers, Guidance Counselors, School Social Workers
  • Police officers
  • Camp Counselors and Administrators
  • Members of the clergy

What is included in the report made to CPS?

To the extent reasonably possible, the report should include the name, age, and home address of the child; the name and home address of the child's parent or other person who is responsible for the child's care; the whereabouts of the child; the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect of the child, including any evidence or information available to the reporter concerning possible previous instances of abuse or neglect; and any other information that would help to determine the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect and the identity of any individual responsible for the abuse or neglect.

How should I report?

 (1) For health practitioners, police officers, educators, and human service workers ("educator or human service worker" means "any professional employee of any correctional, public, parochial or private educational, health, juvenile service, social or social service agency, institution, or licensed facility", and specifically includes any teacher, counselor, social worker, caseworker, or probation or parole officer) acting in a professional capacity, an oral report must be made as soon as possible (to the entities noted above), and a written report must be submitted to the local department of social services within 48 hours (with a copy of the written report submitted to the local State's Attorney in the case of suspected abuse)

(2) For all other persons, there are no such requirements specified, and the reports "may be oral or in writing"

Other Conditions:

 (1) Individuals who are not health practitioners, police officers, educators, and human service workers need not report suspected abuse or neglect is doing so would violate the attorney-client privilege or if the report would require disclosure of "matter communicated in confidence by a client to the client's attorney or other information relating to the representation of the client"

(2) A minister of the gospel, clergyman, or priest of an established church of any denomination is not required to report suspected abuse or neglect if

(a) the report would disclose matter in relation to any confession or communication made to him in confidence by a person seeking his spiritual advice or consolation, and

(b) the communication was made to the minister, clergyman, or priest in a professional character in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which the minister, clergyman, or priest belongs and the minister, clergyman, or priest is bound to maintain the confidentiality of that communication under canon law, church doctrine, or practice

(3) A mental health provider who learns of an instance of child abuse or neglect must report it, regardless of whether the person revealing the information was referred by an attorney (Md. Atty. Gen. Op. No. 90-007)

(4) Reporting is required whenever there is reason to believe that child abuse or neglect occurred in the past, even if the alleged victim is an adult when the incident comes to light, and reporting is required even when the alleged abuser is deceased (Md. Atty. Gen. Op. No. 93-049)

 Information also available courtesy of RAINN