What is Mandated Reporting?

A report made to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) when a child is suspected

to have suffered physical neglect, physicalinjury, emotional injury or from a

sexual act inflicted upon him or her.

What is Mandated Reporting?

- A report is a request for an assessment into the child's condition.

- Reports need to be made even if another mandated reporter has reported the suspected

incident (K.S.A. 38-2223: “It is not a defense that another mandated reporter made a report.”)

- Anonymous reports can be made but DCF will not be able to document that the mandated reporter made the report in order to avoid a

failure to report charge.- Failure to make a report is a

Class B Misdemeanor ($1,000 fine or up to 6 months in jail).

What is Mandated Reporting?

- You do not need to know all the facts of the situation to make a report. A reporter only

needs to have a suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred.

- The law does not require you provide proof that the abuse or neglect occurred or that you actually

witnessed the suspected event. - You do not have to make a final determination

of whether or not the abuse or neglect occurred.

Who is a Mandated Reporter?

Mandated reporters are required to report child abuse or neglect under the Kansas

reporting law (K.S.A. 38-2223).

Example:Teachers, school administrators or other employees of an educational institution

where the child is attending.

Individuals You May Have to Report:

ANYBODY!

Could be your neighbor, a family member,a co-worker, a friend, etc.

As mandated reporters, we are required to make a report if we suspect abuse or neglect.

Kansas law provides immunity from liablilityfor reporters of abuse.

Any local policies or procedures an employermay have do not supersede

a mandated reporters statutory requirement to report.

Reason to Suspect

“Reason to suspect” means anytime anyone believes or has a hint, or a clue, a child is, or has been a victim of abuse or neglect.

A reporter may have “reason to suspect” whenthere is a discrepant or inconsistent history

in explaining a child's injury.

Example:A parent or caregiver of a child describes the

injury as accidental, but bruises are on multiple areas of the body and in various

stages of healing.

What should you do if you suspect that you have to make a report?

1. Get your facts together and write down the information you have.

- Name, address, phone number, birth date and social security number for the child, child's

parents or legally responsible adult. - Child's gender and race.

- Name of school and school district number.(can usually get all this info from WEBKIDSS).

- Name, address, phone number of allegedperpetrator.

- Location of alleged incident. 2. Notify your immediate supervisor/teacher.

How should reports be made?

Phone: Statewide number: 1-800-922-5330.

Fax: KSPRC (Kansas Protection Report Center) 1-866-317-4279

Email: KSPRC@dcf.ks.govMail: Kansas Protection Report Center

Docking State Office Building915 SW Harrison, 5th floor

Topeka, KS 66612On-Line Web Intake:

Internet Explorer is supported browser.Also Safari can be used also.

Google Chrome is not recommended.

Tips for Mandated Reporters:

- You do not need to know all the facts of the situation to make a report.

A reporter only needs to have a suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred.

- It is important to gather enough information to make a report, but be careful

not to ask too many questions.

Tips for Mandated Reporters:

- Asking questions with too much detail can potentially alter facts of the case unintentionally.

- Leave it to the professions that are trained to interview children.

- It is not your responsibility to investigate but to report what was told to you to insure the child’s safety. There are others who get paid to do investigations.

Possible Physical Indicators of Physical Abuse

Bruises, welts or bite marks not common for age and activity level of child

Head trauma (black eyes, split lips, lumps on head, facial bruises or bruising behind

the ear)

Burns

Fractures or scars

Lacerations, abrasions or unusual bleeding

When determining whether or not physical abuse has occurred, ask:

Is the explanation consistent with the physical evidence?

Are there any other physical or behavioral Indicators?

Are there apparent family or environmental factors?

When observing the injury that you suspectmight be abuse, consider:

Where is the injury?

How many injuries does the child have?

What are the size and shape of the injuries?

Does the description of how the injury occurred seem likely?

Is the injury consistent with the child's developmental capabilities?

Possible Physical Indicators of Neglect:

Constant hunger

Lack of adequate clothing and good hygiene

Lack of medical or dental care

Physical and speech delays

Clothing consistently not adequate for weather conditions (ex: shorts, short sleeves and no coat in winter)

Possible Physical Indicators of Emotional Abuse:

Changes in behavior, personality or appearance

Sleep problems, nightmares

Biting, rocking, head-banging or thumb sucking (older children)

Substance abuse

Cutting

Fire starting

Sudden grade changes

When considering whether or not emotional abuse is occurring, ask:

Do the interactions between the adult and the child seem to be primarily negative?

Are specific instances of emotional abuse or maltreatment frequently observed?

Possible Behavioral Indicators of Sexual Abuse:

Seductive behavior, advance sexual knowledge for the child's age.

Expressing fear of a particular person or place.

Excessive masturbation, precocious sex play, excessive curiosity about sex.

Poor peer relationships.

Extreme fear of being touched

To download a free guide go to:

http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Documents/GuidetoReportingAbuseandNeglect.pdf

To order a FREE reporting guide(s):Kansas Children’s Service League1365 N. Custer • Wichita, KS 67203

(316) 942-4261 • (877) 530-5275

Ask for Samantha