Though everyone should report suspected abuse, a number of professionals must report abuse or be held liable by law, when acting within the scope of their profession. The specific positions are listed in California Penal Code section 11165.7. Professions include but are not limited to:

• • Teachers, school staff, and administrators

  • Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, EMTs, etc.)

  • Mental health professionals

  • Social workers and child welfare employees

  • Law enforcement

  • Resource parents and group home staff

  • Clergy (with some exceptions)

  • Employees of public assistance programs (e.g., CalWORKs)

For an extensive list of mandated reporters in CA, click here.

Abuse and neglect can take many forms and each of the types have its own set of signs and symptoms associated with it. Below is a breakdown of the different types of abuse that can happen to children.

Abandonment – involves desertion by anyone who assumed caregiving responsibilities for an individual.

Abduction – the act or instance of forcibly taking someone away against their will.

Emotional Abuse – involves creating emotional pain, distress or anguish through the use of threats, intimidation or humiliation. This includes insults, yelling or threats of harm and/or isolation, or non-verbal actions such as throwing objects or glaring to project fear and/or intimidation.

Financial Abuse – includes the misuse, mishandling or exploitation of property, possessions or assets of adults. Also includes using another’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through coercion and/or manipulation.

Isolation – restricting visits from family and friends or preventing contact via telephone or mail correspondence.

Neglect – failure of a caregiver/guardian/parent to provide the necessities of life to another person for whom they are caring.

Physical Abuse – an intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person by way of bodily contact.

Sexual Abuse – forced or coerced sexual behavior by one person upon another, when the child (person under the age of 18 years old), is not of an age or mental capacity to consent. This also includes incidents or suspicion of sexual exploitation or human trafficking.

Do I have to witness the abuse or neglect to report it?

The standard for reporting suspected abuse and neglect is “reasonable cause to believe” which means that mandated reporters need only a “mere suspicion” that abuse or neglect was committed. Mandated reporters are immune from civil or criminal liability as a result of filing a report of abuse.

What are the consequences for not reporting?

 A person who fails to make a required report is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine (California Penal Code Section 11166[c]).

If I report, how will I know that it is going to be handled?

In most cases, mandated reporters do not receive follow-up information about the outcome of the report, due to strict confidentiality laws that protect the child and family’s privacy.

However, as a mandated reporter, you can contact Child Welfare Services to:

• Confirm that your report was received
• Share any additional information that becomes available after your report
• Ask whether the situation required immediate intervention
• You will not be told what action was taken (e.g., if the child was removed or if services were offered), unless you are directly involved in the case (e.g., as a teacher, caregiver, or provider with a legal role in ongoing care).

Important Reminders

• YOU are responsible for making this report. DO NOT ALLOW your supervisor/principal to make the report for you or assume because another co-worker has some of the same information that they will make the report.
• Do not attempt to investigate, conduct interviews or interfere with the information you hold.
• Remember that you are to report SUSPECTED abuse – you are not required to have witnessed or have complete proof of the incident. You are obligated by law to report what you observe or what you are told that caused suspicion the child is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected. When in doubt, call CWS and get their input about the scope of your report.

Mandated Reporter Trainings

MandatedReporterCA.com offers free, state-approved online trainings to help mandated reporters in California understand their legal responsibilities. The site includes interactive courses, reporting guidelines, and resources tailored for educators, medical providers, child care workers, and more.

For mandated reporter or SCAR training in SLO County, call (805) 781-1700.

SCAR Training