When do I need to report?
“Any person . . .who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subject to abuse or neglect or who has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect shall immediately upon receiving such information report or cause a report to be made of such fact to the county department or local law enforcement agency.”
What this means is, if you suspect – you report the same day.
How do I report?
A report should contain, to the extent possible, the following information.
(a) The name, address, age, sex, and race of the child.
(b) The nature and extent of the child’s injuries, including any evidence of previous cases of known or suspected abuse or neglect of the child or the child’s siblings.
(c) The names and addresses of the persons responsible for the suspected abuse or neglect, if known.
(d) The family composition.
(e) Your name, address, and occupation.
(f) Any action you have taken.
(g) Any other information you believe may be helpful…
What is the reporter’s legal protection?
In order to encourage individuals to report child abuse, the law protects the identity of the reporter, except under special circumstances. If criminal charges are under consideration, or a case goes to court, the name of the reporter may become known. In general, however, the name of the person making a report in good faith is kept confidential. Colorado statutes further provide that individuals who report in good faith are immune to civil and criminal liability or termination of employment that might result from such a report.
What happens when a report is made?
Either the Department of Social Services or law enforcement is responsible for coordinating the investigation of child abuse reports. Which department takes the lead depends upon the specific details of the report. The investigation includes information about the child, the nature and extent of the abuse, the identity of the person responsible for the abuse, if known, the family composition, information about the reporter, and any other information deemed necessary.
Information was obtained from: blueskybridge.org