The Teachers Responsibility to Report Abuse and/or Neglect

Vocabulary
Outcry of abuse: A person who admits to being abused and asks for
help.
Witness of outcry: The first adult the student asks for help.
Reporter of outcry: The individual who is skeptical of the abuse.
Household members: The people the child or victim lives with.
Alleged perpetrators:The person who is being accused of abuse.
Collaterals: Any other people that have information about the situation.
Procedural Information
What is the official legal document that requires anyone suspecting the
abuse or neglect of a child to report the suspected abuse to the Child
Protective Services?
Texas Family Code (TFC)
What section specifically applies to teachers?
Section 26 1.101
How long does one have to make a report after suspecting child abuse?
48 hours
What are two ways that the report can be filed?
Child Protective Services or Local Law Enforcement Agency
Discuss confidentiality of reporters to CPS.
If the report is made in good faith, without malice, reporters
are immune
from civil or criminal liability.
What information is needed when making a report?

a. Child's name, age and address.

b. primary caretaker's name and address.
c. Physical indicators observed.
d. Behavioral indicators observed.
e. Other indicators observed.
f. Your name, position and contact information.
List four questions that might be asked about the abuse/neglect when
filing a report?
What happened? Who abused or neglected the child? What is
the role of the parent/guardian? What else is happening in that
family?
Legal Information
What does it mean to obstruct a report of abuse or neglect?
Prevent or prohibit someone from making a report about the victim
What penalties exist in Texas for teachers who fail to report?
Class A misdemeanor
What penalties exist in Texas for false reporting?
State Jail felony