Reporting Child Abuse

Certain professionals known as “mandated reporters” are required by law to report suspected child abuse / neglect. Mandate reporters include:

Animal control officers Child visitation monitor Clergy members Day care providers Doctors / nurses Eligibility workers Emergency medical technicians / paramedics Film processors Firefighters

Foster parents Head Start employees Law enforcement officials Mental health providers Probation officers Public / private day camp employees Public / private school employees Social workers Youth recreation centers

The CDSS Office of Child Abuse Prevention offers free online mandated reporter training for all social workers and and individuals identified as mandated reporters. The link to this training is accessible at the child abuse mandated reporter website. 

Citizens can also make reports of suspected child abuse / neglect. Citizens may include:

Anonymous reporters Concerned friends

Family members Neighbors

When Do I Report?

Anyone with proof or “reasonable suspicion” of child abuse and/or neglect should make a report immediately.

Reports can be made any time, day or night, seven days a week:

• Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 209-533-5717
• After hours, weekends, and holidays, call 209-533-HELP(209-533-4357)

If immediate danger is suspected, call 911.

Types of Child Abuse

Physical

Physical abuse includes any act on a child by a parent or caregiver that results in non-accidental injuries. Some indicators of physical abuse are:

Abrasions Bites Bruises

Burns Fractures Welts

Sexual

Sexual child abuse includes any sexual act performed on a child by a parent or caregiver. Some indicators of sexual abuse are:

• Disclosures by the child
• Inappropriate sexual knowledge and language
• Pregnancy
• Problems toileting (enuresis / encopresis)
• Sexual behaviors that are age inappropriate
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Emotional

Emotional child abuse includes emotional maltreatment of a child by a parent/caregiver that negatively affects the child. Some indicators of emotional abuse are:

Aggressive behaviors Depression

Severe anxiety Withdrawal

Neglect

Neglect child abuse includes the failure of the parent or caregiver to meet the child’s basic needs to the extent the child’s health and welfare is harmed or threatened. Some indicators of neglect are:

• Child appears undernourished and is often hungry
• Child appears dirty and/or unkempt
• Home conditions are unsafe and unsanitary
• Child lacks age appropriate medical, dental, mental health care