Grounding Training Programs in Informing Frameworks
The approaches in the chart below can provide frameworks that make your organization most effective when training adults and/or children/youth….
Home / Reporting / Massachusetts Law on Reporting Requirements
Mandated reporters are required to immediately report suspicions of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) by phone, followed by a written report (called a 51A) within 48 hours, when in their professional capacity they have “reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from:
The law also makes clear that “if a mandated reporter is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, or facility, the mandated reporter may instead notify the person or designated agent in charge of such institution, school, or facility who shall become responsible for notifying the Department in the manner required by this section. A mandated reporter may, in addition to filing a report under this section, contact local law enforcement authorities or the [Office of the] Child Advocate about the suspected abuse or neglect.” Fines of up to $1,000 can punish mandated reporters who fail to report.
Reporters are not expected to be investigators. It’s important to note that this legal language requires the reporting of suspected abuse to DCF. No state, including Massachusetts, requires the reporter to have conclusive proof that the abuse or neglect occurred before reporting. The law is clear: Reports must be made when abuse is observed, or the reporter “suspects” or “has reasonable cause to believe” that a child has been or is being harmed. If a reporter asks the child too many questions, or for greater detail so they feel more confident before filing a report, the child may become confused or re-traumatized. The child may have a sense that they are not believed, or—in the worst case—could stop talking completely. The job of investigation should be left to the professionals at DCF and law enforcement, who are trained in interviewing children and youth who have been victims of trauma. Incidents must be reported as soon as they are noticed or suspected. The benefit of the doubt is always given to the suspected victim, and waiting for conclusive proof may put the child/youth at further risk.
Mandated reporters are also protected under the law. If the report is made in good faith, mandated reporters are protected from liability in any civil or criminal action, and from any discriminatory or retaliatory actions by an employer—even if the report is deemed unfounded after investigation. The name of the reporter is not disclosed by DCF to the parents/guardians of a child who is the subject of the report.
Training
The approaches in the chart below can provide frameworks that make your organization most effective when training adults and/or children/youth….
Code of Conduct
Along with guiding appropriate behavior, your Code of Conduct should include a clear description of the lines of communication and reporting…
Sustainability
Leadership at Youth-Serving Organizations (YSOs) should maintain regular communication on the culture of safety with staff, volunteers, parents, and…
Code of Conduct
It’s essential that interactions between your employees/volunteers and the youth you serve are appropriate and positive, support positive youth…
Code of Conduct
Your Code of Conduct is an essential tool to help you ensure the safety of the children and youth in your care, and prevent child sexual abuse.
Code of Conduct
Every YSO has certain risks associated with its activities, functions, and responsibilities—and thinking about those risks is an important part of…
Monitoring Behavior
Protocols should be developed in order to inform staff and volunteers about supervision, communication, and reporting procedures at your…
Reporting
You can help protect the children you serve by maintaining an environment that prioritizes both preventing child abuse before it occurs and—since…
Reporting
Staff and volunteers should have a detailed understanding of their responsibility to report child abuse and neglect. At your YSO (Youth-Serving…
Screening & Hiring
Additional screening and hiring measures should be implemented based on the specific needs, responsibilities, and risks of your Youth-Serving…
Customized child sexual abuse prevention guidelines to meet the unique needs of any organization that serves children.
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