3421 - Child Abuse Reporting Policy

Policy 3421

STUDENTS

Child Abuse Reporting

When any district employee has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she is required to report the abuse or neglect, or cause a report to be made, to child protective services or the proper law enforcement agency within forty-eight (48) hours. “Abuse or neglect” means the injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child, as those offenses are defined by law, by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health, welfare, and safety is harmed. Child abuse may include offenses by adults or minors.

Legal authorities have the responsibility to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect as they deem appropriate. Employees need not verify that a child has in fact been abused or neglected before making a report. Any conditions or information that may be reasonably related to abuse or neglect should be reported by the employee.  An employee who has reasonable cause to believe that a student has been a victim of physical abuse or sexual misconduct by another school employee shall report such abuse or misconduct to the appropriate school administrator.

To enable staff to identify and report suspected child abuse and neglect, the superintendent shall develop reporting procedures to be disseminated to staff.

The district will follow the child sexual abuse investigation protocols developed by Franklin County as they apply to the district. Employees will cooperate with child protective services and law enforcement agencies investigating cases of child abuse and neglect as allowed by law.

 

Cross Reference:         Board Policy 4411                  Relations with the Law Enforcement and
                                                                                                Child Protective Agencies

Legal References:       RCW   26.44.020                    Child abuse – Definitions
                                                26.44.030                    Reports – Duty and authority to make –
                                                                                                Duty of receiving agency
                                                26.44.040                    Reports – Oral, written -- Contents
                                                26.44.180                    Investigation of child sexual abuse –
                                                                                                Protocols – Documentation of
                                                                                                agencies’ roles
                                                28A.400.317               Physical abuse or sexual misconduct by
                                                                                                school employees – Duty to report –
                                                                                                Training
                                                28A.620.010               Community education provisions
                                                                                               Purposes
                                                28A.620.020               Community education provisions –
                                                                                                Restrictions – Classes on child abuse
                                                                                                prevention encouraged
                                    WAC   388-15-005                  Rules – Definitions – Child abuse or neglect
                                                388-15-009                  What is child abuse or neglect?

 

 

Adoption Date:  November 14, 2006