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Child Abuse Reporting
What is child abuse?
Neglect - chronic failure to provide basic needs.
Physical - non-accidental injury.
Sexual - sexual exploitation may or may not involve physical contact.
Emotional - attacks on a child's self image.
Abandonment - willful withholding of support and communication by a custodial parent
What constitutes suspicion of child abuse?
Child abuse should be suspected when a child exhibits physical or behavioral indicators
and there are no other reasonable explanations for the presence of those indicators. A
child's disclosure of abuse is also reasonable cause for suspicion.
When should a report be made?
When anyone has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, a report must be made to the
abuse hotline. Hotline counselors are available to receive calls 7 days a week, 24
hours a day
Who must report suspicions of child abuse?
EVERYONE in the State of Florida is a mandated reporter. Mandated reporters are
required by law to report suspicions of child abuse to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
This legal obligation supersedes any internal school/organization policy.
Why should suspicions of child abuse be reported?
Everyone has a legal and moral obligation to report. Anyone who fails to report
suspicion of child abuse to the child abuse hotline is guilty of a first-degree
misdemeanor. Preventing someone from making a report is also a first-degree
misdemeanor.
How is an abuse report made?
Reporters have two methods in which to report child abuse:
Telephone - speak with a hotline counselor - 1-800-962-2873
Fax - fax an abuse report form to the hotline - 1-800-914-0004
What information is needed?
Child's name, birth date, race, gender, home address and phone number,
custodial parent's name.
Nature and extent of abuse; identity of abuser if known.
Reporter's name and telephone number.
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