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-WHO-
Who must report
suspicions of child abuse?
Everyone in the State of
Florida is a mandated reporter. Mandated reporters are required by
law to report suspicions of child abuse to the Florida
Abuse Hotline. This legal obligation supersedes any internal
school/organization policy. |
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-WHAT-
What is child abuse?
There are five types of
child abuse:
- Neglect
- chronic failure to provide basic needs.
- Physical
- non-accidental injury.
- Sexual
- sexual exploitation, may or may not involve physical
contact.
- Emotional
- attacks on a child's self image.
- Abandonment
- willful withholding of support and communication by
a custodial parent.
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Report
Suspicions of Child Abuse to the Florida Abuse Hotline
1-800-962-2873
1-800-96ABUSE
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-HOW-
How
is an abuse report made?
Reporters
have two methods in which to report
child abuse:
- Telephone
- speak with a hotline
counselor.
1-800-962-2873
- Fax
- fax an abuse report form to
the hotline.
1-800-914-0004
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What
information is needed?
- Child's
name, birth date, race, gender, home
address and phone number, custodial
parent's name.
- Nature
and extent of abuse; identity of
abuser if known.
- Reporters
name and telephone number.
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All
children deserve to be safe and free from child
abuse.
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-WHEN-
What
constitutes suspicion of child abuse?
Child
abuse should be suspected when a child
exhibits physical or behavioral
indicators and there are no other
reasonable explanations for the presence
of those indicators. A child's
disclosure of abuse is also reasonable
cause for suspicion.
When
should a report be made?
When
anyone has reasonable cause to suspect
child abuse, a report must be
made to the abuse hotline. Hotline
counselors are available to receive
calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
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-WHY-
Why
should suspicions of child abuse be
reported?
Everyone
has a legal and moral obligation to
report. Anyone who fails to report
suspicion of child abuse to the child
abuse hotline are guilty of a first
degree misdemeanor, Preventing someone
from making a report is also a first
degree misdemeanor. |
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