Sorry for hogging the posts tonight while I have internet. Please note I express my opinion not a word from god. When I research facts i give links. Sorry I do not have the tool to make my links clickable today.
Trying to catch up on reading here, I want to address the mandatory child or elder abuse abuse issue. I was an RN so I was required to take class after class after class on mandatory reporter. I made more than my fair share of reports. Some were founded and others got families help. The position is very awkward. In `963 it was only medical professionals who were required to report specifics observations...it was up to the law to be the judge. Around the early /89's the law included teachers and child care providers as mandatory reporters in a much long list.
Below I will quote the consequences for not reporting suspected abuse. ( There are other documents readily available to can help people identify signs that a child or elder is being abused- not included.)
I want to point out that even if a mandatory reporters SUPERVISOR tells you to NOT report something you question who still have to make a report. You are not the judge and jury. The investigators decide is found or not founded and if the report will be taken to court or not.
Here is link to a pdf of CA law on reporting...it will shock some of you. [
www.sccgov.org]
It lists who is mandatory reporter. Its DOES included any one who services minor children along with dr, nurses, teachers, police, firemen, day care workers....
I hope everyone will read and absorb the following quote then draw your own conclusions about what when on the group we survived or in some cases are still involved.
Quote
gbacapv6 state of california
Liability for Failure to Make A Required Report
A mandated reporter who fails to make a required report of child abuse
is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail or by a
$1,000 fine orby both a fine and imprisonment. (P.C. 11166 (c)) If however,
death or great bodily injury happens to the child as a result of the abuse,
or if the mandated reporter willfully fails to report the abuse the mandated reporter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than one
year in a county jail, by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000),
or by both. (P.C. 11166.01
(b)) He or she may also be found civilly liable for
damages,especially if the child-victim or another child is further victimized
because of the failure to report. (Landeros v. Flood (1976) 17 Cal.3d 399.)
If a mandated reporter conceals his or her failure to report abuse or
“severe” neglect, the failure to report is a continuing offense until the
failure is discovered by an agency specified in Section 11165.9. (P.C. 11166(c))
Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coaliton
Responsibilities of Agencies
Employing Mandated Reporters
On and after January 1, 1985, with the exception
of child visitation monitors, persons entering employment which make them mandated reporters
must sign statements, provided and retained by
their employers, informing them that they are
mandated reporters and advising them of their
reporting responsibilities and of their confidentiality rights. (P.C. 11166.5 (a))
On and after January 1, 1993, any person who acts as a child visitation
monitor, prior to engaging in monitoring the first visit in a case, shall sign
a statement provided and retained by the court which ordered the monitor’s presence to the effect that he or she has knowledge of the provisions
of the Child Abuse Reporting Law and will comply with them. (P.C. 11166.5 (a))
Employers are strongly encouraged to provide their employees who are
mandated reporters with training in the duties imposed by the Child Abuse
Reporting Law. Training in the duties imposed by the reporting law shall
include training in child abuse identification and reporting. Whether or not
employers provide their employees with training, they shall provide their
employees who are mandated reporters with the statement required in
subdivision (a) of Section 11166.5. (P.C. 11165.7 (c)) The absence of training
shall not excuse a mandated rep
This is a partial quote from the California 2013 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law. The laws are similar in most states. [
www.sccgov.org]