counselor and tell them to not tell who told if you dont want to be named

Report it immediately.

Teachers are mandated reporters in every state.

Normally you would call the office of children and family services.

It used to be that you could report to a superior and be done with it, but the law in some places has changed recently. In NY as of October 1st you must now report it directly. These reports are anonymous. You are asked for your name but you can withhold it, or ask that it not be used.

I’m sure you can see why the law has been changed. The child goes home to be abused while your report is still working its way up the chain of command. Also, unfortunately, some administrators were taking it upon themselves to decide that the teacher’s ‘intuition’ was wrong, and never reported it.

See

http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/downloads/pdf/childsafty_alert_oct2007.pdf

for more specific info on your responsibility if you’re in NY. If you don’t work in NY, google “ mandated reporter”

See http://www.nysmandatedreporter.org/default2.html

http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/child_safety/mandated_reporters.shtml

for a list of mandated reporters and explanations of how this works, or google your own state

You sould not address this with the student or the parent. You do not need proof. The law states you need “reasonable cause” of ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT to report.

Addressing the student will only stress him/her out, and he/she will try to convince you everything is really fine in order to avoid retaliation at home. By high school they are very good at this. This is part of the problem with abuse. Addressing the parent could put you in very real danger if the abuse is real. If you are worried about retaliation then speak to your principal and the authorities when you’ve made your report so everyone is aware there may be trouble coming.

Yes, it would be embarrassing and uncomfortable if your suspicions turned out to be unfounded, but the alternative is much much worse, and everyone with a brain and imagination knows that. If you’re wrong, eventually they’ll understand and forgive. Could you forgive yourself if you waited and the worst occurred? Remember that you may be the only person in a position to notice and report this.

In most states they are required by law to report suspected child abuse. Different school systems have different guidelines. Usually teacher tell guidance counselor, then the principal gets involved.

Don’t know where you live. Don’t know if this is just a TX law, but here if I as a teacher suspect abuse, then I am the one that must report it to Children’s Protective Services within 48 hours. I can talk to the counselor or principal, but I am the one that has to make the call.

The principal is the one that should be alerted, from there, the guidance counselor is brought in, she/he in turn brings in Department of Children/Family Services to investigate. As a teacher, they are obligated to report abuse whether it is suspicious or actual evidence. Everyone takes this very seriously nowadays, thank goodness!

You definitely need to take it to someone on your administrative team. I know that in my state I am required by law to report any suspected child abuse. It’s always better to err on the side of caution. If it doesn’t end up being abuse, you’ve done your part to ensure the student’s safety. In choosing an administrative member, I’m not sure if your school has a chain of command. I think it would typically start with the counselor and work its way up.

The teacher has an absolute LEGAL responsibility to report the the suspected child abuse to CPS. We have been told to alert the principal, and then to call CPS. You can even call CPS from the principals office if you are more comfortable that way.

It is now ILLEGAL to stand by and do nothing…thank goodness!

First of all make sure the abuse is happening by approaching the student with indirect questions such as: How are things at home? How are your parents doing? If bruises or other outward signs are present ask how they got there. If the teacher’s suspicions are confirmed then he/she should go to the guidance counselor and she/he will further investigate and tell the principal and/or the authorities if deemed necessary. Care must be taken in this endeavor so as not bring trouble to ones self or the student. The parents, if guilty or not, are likely to seek retaliation on the student and/or the teacher.

You are a Mandated Reporter and must make sure a CPS report is made. Your school may have a policy about who makes the report, but if you really think this is happening and the higher -ups refuse to report you must. Ask your Principal what the policy is.

Tell your school nurse and your principal. You are obligated to report any suspected neglect/abuse. Better to air on the side of caution when it comes to these situations.

Teachers are mandated reporters.

In California, each teacher must report the issue to cps/police department. The issue is not to be brought to anyone else or investigated by that teacher. CPS will decide how to proceed.