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Lesson Six: (Continued)
What Information is Required in the Written Report?
The call must be followed within 36 hours by a written report to the child
protective agency to which the telephone report was made. The written report
must be filed on Department of Justice Form SS 8572 (DOJ SS 8572), which is
available through county welfare departments, local law enforcement agencies
or, in some instances, county probation departments.
Additional Notes For Educators
The law protects an individual who reports known or suspected child abuse to
a child protective agency so that he or she may do so without fear of any
sanction for making the report. The supervisor or administrator can ask that
the employee notify them of reports being made to a child protective agency;
however, the employee cannot be prohibited or impeded from making a report
directly to a child protective agency. Furthermore, an employee making a
report cannot be required to disclose his or her identity to the employer.
(Pen. Code, 11166, subd. (h).)
When two or more mandated reporters are present and jointly have knowledge
of a known or suspected instance of child abuse, they may elect one person
to report. However, if the person elected to report fails to do so, and then
the other person is responsible for making the report. (Pen. Code, 11166.subd.
(g).)
Summary
Child abuse must be reported when a legally mandated reporter “… has
knowledge of or observes a child in his or her professional capacity, or within
the scope of his or her employment whom he or she knows or reasonably suspects
has been the victim of child abuse” (P.C. 11166[a]).
You must make a verbal report immediately (or as soon as practically possible)
by phone. A written report must be forwarded within 36 hours of receiving the
information regarding the incident. (P.C. 11166[a]). Written reports must be
submitted on Department of Justice forms.
Hard proof is not needed to make a report. However, reports must be made in
good faith. The report must be made to a “child protective agency”
such as a county welfare or probation department or a police or sheriff’s
department. In Los Angeles County, the Child Abuse Hotline number (sponsored
by the Department of Children and Family Services) is 1-800-540-4000.
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Name of the reporter (which is confidential with
limited exceptions);
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Name of the child;
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Present location of the child;
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Nature and extent of the injury and;
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Any other information, including that which led the person to suspect child
abuse, requested by the child protective agency. (Pen.Code, 11167,
subd.[a].)
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It is recommended that the mandated reporter first secure a copy of
the written report form (Department of Justice Form DOJ SS 8572) and
“pencil in” as much information as possible. These details will
be helpful in discussing the case during the phone report.
The call must be followed within 36 hours by a written report to the child
protective agency to which the telephone report was made. The written report
must be filed on Department of Justice Form SS 8572 (DOJ SS 8572), which is
available through county welfare departments, local law enforcement agencies
or, in some instances, county probation departments.
Quiz »
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