Note to Professionals
All professionals who work with children are responsible for complying with their State Laws about reporting suspected Child Abuse and are punishable by law if they neglect to do so.
Under the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 1974, all 50 states have passed laws mandating the reporting of child sexual abuse. The exact details of these laws vary from state to state. Most professionals who work with children are required to report suspected abuse including:
- doctors
- dentists
- nurses
- teachers
- social workers
- school guidance counselors
- law enforcement officers
In addition:
Most professionals are now required to take training in the Reporting Laws for the state in which they work. Please see Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect for who is a Mandated reporter and State Statutes for State by State guides to reporting.
Our Founder, Vivian Farmery, CSW, worked for a number of years training staff in Head Start Programs to identify children who may be being abused, and to report such suspected abuse. Her statement:
“While I have been privileged to work with many professionals who care deeply about the well-being of the children in their care, it has always shocked and saddened me to realize how many professionals are either uninformed about reporting laws, or are afraid to ‘rock the boat’ by reporting, even though they are mandated by law to do so, and punishable by law if they fail to do so.
“I would like to personally reach out to EVERY SINGLE PERSON who works with children to implore you to REPORT ABUSE WHEN YOU SUSPECT IT or WHEN YOU ARE TOLD BY A CHILD IT IS OCCURRING. That is the ONLY way we can stop childhood sexual abuse. On behalf of all sexually abused children everywhere, I thank you.”
– Vivian Farmery, CSW