Mandatory Reporting

Information found at: http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/pupil-services/school-social-work/contents/child-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect

4 Categories

• Mandatory reporting includes 4 categories that you may need to report
• Neglect
• Physical Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

Neglect

• Definition of neglect: Failure of a parent or other caregiver to provide for the basic needs of a child to the point that it seriously endangers the child’s physical health

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• ** Poverty cannot be the only reason for the neglect (this would not be considered neglect)

Signs of Neglect

• Fatigue (great and extended)
• Hunger, hoarding or stealing food, poor nutrition
• Untreated medical problems
• Poor hygiene
• Low self esteem
• Withdrawal from others

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** These must be regular and frequent

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** It is also considered neglect of they are frequently cared for by another child who is too young to do so

Physical Abuse

• Definition of physical abuse: physical injury inflicted on a child that is not an accident
• The person need not intend to hurt the child, but it would count if they were acting in a reckless manner and the child ended up being hurt
• If a students has an injury that is a different color, not on a common part of the body (common parts of the body include elbows, knees, forearms, and foreheads) or are in the shape of an object, and their explanation does not make sense to you, and or they are not willing to tell you how they received the injury, then you should report it.

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You got this!

When in doubt, just remember to talk to the staff.

They will help you to know what to do.

We know that you will do the right thing!

Emotional Damage

• Definition of emotional Damage: Harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual functioning
• Warning signs you may see:
• crying without apparent cause
• sudden fearfulness
• feelings of having little self worth
• talking about being broken or damaged
• sudden lack of participation
• reported sleeping problems

** It does not require reporting if the parents are seeking treatment for the child

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Sexual Abuse

• Definition of sexual abuse: inappropriate sexual behavior with a child that includes any inappropriate touching.
• Warning signs you may see include:
• extreme secrecy
• unusual fear of people of one gender or with specific characteristics

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Making the Report

• If you suspect something, even a little, talk to the staff As Soon As Possible. They will know what to do, if a report should be filed, or if this is normal behavior for the child.
• All reports are anonymous
• “when in doubt talk it out” - Tell everything to the staff, let them make the decision
• Report to the staff every time you hear something, do not assume that it has been addressed nor that it is the same incident

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Social Media

• Do not take photographs of the students on your personal device
• Do not engage in any way with the youth on social media
• Keep the students identity secret for their own safety (you do not know what kind of situation they may be in)

For More information

Follow the link for more information on mandatory reporting:

http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/pupil-services/school-social-work/contents/child-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect