Reports of suspicion of child maltreatment are made to county social
services offices. Report by phone or in writing. The phone number is
listed in the telephone directory. If an emergency situation exists or
social services cannot be reached, report to local law enforcement
officials. If unsure whether to make a report, call a child protection
social worker to discuss the matter.
When reporting, the following
information is needed: name, age, gender of the child and other family
members, address, phone number, directions to the child’s home,
description of the maltreatment and current condition of the child. Be
as specific and detailed as possible.
Within 48 hours of an oral report, a written statement may be requested.
The statement may be submitted by:
a. Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect (Form J) or a form
available from the county social services office or
b. Letter.
WHO REPORTS?
It is the ethical obligation of all adults to report suspected child
neglect and abuse--or the suspicion that a child may be in danger of
being abused or neglected.
Mandatory reporters (required to report according to
North Dakota law)
Reporters mandated by state law are all paid Extension staff as well as
most medical staff, school professionals, teachers and administrators,
counselors, social workers, child care workers, law enforcement officers
and clergy. Mandated reporters who suspect child abuse or neglect and
fail to report that suspicion can be charged with a class B misdemeanor.
Permissive reporters (allowed to report)
Permissive reporters include anyone not mandated to report who has
reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected.
WHAT HAPPENS TO A REPORT?
A report of suspected abuse or neglect is only a request for an
assessment of suspected child abuse or neglect. The assessment and
decision of whether or not services are required for the protection and
treatment of an abused or neglected child are the responsibility of the
child protection service social workers.
The report helps child protection workers to decide if there are
services required for the protection and treatment of an abused or
neglected child and what further steps may be necessary. Whenever
possible, North Dakota Child Protection Services tries to maintain the
integrity of the family.
NORTH DAKOTA CHILD ABUSE
INFORMATION INDEX
When the assessment of a report calls for a decision that services are
required, the reports are filed in the North Dakota Child Abuse
Information Index. Reports remain on the Index for ten (10) years and
are available only to persons who have authorization to see the reports
for the purposes of the well being of children.
Information in the Index is confidential. Unauthorized release of any
information from the Index can result in being charged with a class B
misdemeanor. Persons who are authorized to access confidential
information used with the NDSU Extension Service
Youth Protection Policy
are designated Extension Service paid staff or Extension
Service volunteer personnel
committee members who work directly with the policy. All persons who
have access to this information within the Extension Service shall sign
a confidentiality statement (Form H).
LIABILITY
Any person making a report in good faith is immune from criminal and
civil liability. However, if mandated persons fail to report, they can
be charged with a class B misdemeanor (up to $500 fine and 30 days
imprisonment).
Any person who willfully makes a false report or provides false
information, which causes a report to be made, can be charged with a
class B misdemeanor, unless the false report is made to a law
enforcement official, in which case the person who causes the false
report to be made can be charged with a class A misdemeanor (up to $1000
fine and one year imprisonment). A person who willfully makes a false
report or willfully provides false information that causes a report to
be made is also liable in a civil action for all damages suffered by the
person reported.
UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE
Any person who permits or encourages the unauthorized disclosure of
reports made or confidential information obtained can be charged with a
class B misdemeanor.
SUSPENSION
If the reported incident involves a program volunteer or paid staff
member, the responsible Extension administrator shall, without
exception, suspend the person from all activities involving the
supervision of children. Reinstatement of a volunteer or paid staff
person will occur only after all allegations have been cleared to the
satisfaction of the responsible Extension administrator and the
investigating agency.
REPORTING CHILD MALTREATMENT
WITHIN EXTENSION YOUTH PROGRAMS
OR INVOLVING PAID EXTENSION STAFF
1. Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is a professional and
mandatory legal obligation for paid staff. In North Dakota, paid staff
failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect can be charged with a
class B misdemeanor.
(a) Volunteers shall immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect
to the county department of social services or law enforcement
authorities. If suspected abuse occurs within or as part of an NDSU
Extension Service youth program, a paid Extension employee shall be
notified first in order to address program issues needed to keep all
children safe.
(b) If paid staff are suspect, a member of the Extension Service
administrative staff shall be notified.
2. Extension paid staff will be familiar with and follow the reporting
procedure prescribed by the local and North Dakota law as outlined in
this policy.
3. The designated Extension staff person receiving a report is
responsible for documenting the facts as reported, but not responsible
for any investigation. Appropriate Extension administrators shall also
be informed as soon as the information is received.
4. If the reported incident involves a program volunteer or paid staff
member, the responsible Extension administrator shall, without
exception, suspend the person from all activities involving the
supervision of children. Reinstatement of a volunteer or paid staff
person will occur only after all allegations have been cleared to the
satisfaction of the responsible Extension administrator and the
investigating agency.
5. Regardless of where or under what circumstances the alleged incident
takes place, if a paid staff person is involved, it will be considered
job related and affecting job performance.
6. Paid and volunteer staff must be sensitive to the need for
confidentiality in the handling of information on suspected child abuse
or neglect. Involved paid and volunteer staff are to discuss matters
pertaining to abuse and suspected abuse only with the appropriate
Extension representatives.
7. Paid and volunteer staff may not contact the parent(s) or guardian(s)
of children if they are involved in an alleged child abuse incident
without the permission of appropriate Extension administrators.
