Topic Category: Study

Working with Child Advocacy Centers How are the forensic interviewers or medical personnel from the Centers contacted to interview / examine a child? Law enforcement and Child Protective Services are the clients to the Centers; they schedule investigative appointments. The[...]
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Advocacy Centers bring the different disciplines together during child abuse investigations Disciplines Include: Law Enforcement Child Protective Services (CPS) Forensic Medical Professionals Mental Health Professionals There are 5 Child Advocacy Centers in Maricopa County Mesa Center Against Family Violence Childhelp[...]
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Below is a brief test to determine how much you have learned and understood during this training about your responsibilities as a Mandated Reporter. These tests will help the instructor gauge the effectiveness of the training. Click the ‘Mark Complete’[...]
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REMEMBER… Information that triggers your mandate to report may or may not meet DCS or Police criteria for: An actual report Action to be taken Charges to be filed

To Report Suspected Child Abuse Call Law Enforcement: Local Law Enforcement Non-Emergency Line 911 Contact DCS 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445) The written report must be sent to DCS within 72 hours. If the Hotline Specialist tells the information provided does not meet report[...]
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Mandated Reporter Protocol Suspected child abuse can be made known to a mandated reporter by three different means: A child self discloses abuse to mandated reporter Observation of injury/unusual behavior Third party report of abuse What you SHOULD do If[...]
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Why follow the Protocol? Research has shown that when Multidisciplinary Protocols are followed: Arrest and prosecution rates INCREASE Trauma to the child DECREASES You are important to us! Mandated reporters are the eyes and ears of law enforcement and DCS.[...]
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Maricopa County Protocol Prior to the Protocol, minors were being re-victimized during the investigative process Children were being interviewed multiple times by various professionals throughout the investigation, forcing children to relive their vicitimization. This can cause a child great distress[...]
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Could I be punished for not reporting suspected abuse? A mandated reporter who does not report a sexual offense can be charged with a Class 6 Felony A mandated reporter who does not report another type of abuse can be[...]
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There are 4 general domains of abuse:  Sexual Abuse Physical Abuse Neglect Emotional Abuse 1. Sexual Abuse Any sexual acts involving a child; this also includes sexual acts between children. Sexual acts include: Fondling Penetration Intercourse Exploitation Showing pornography Exposing[...]
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Immunity for Reporters Any person who reports in good faith If a mandatory reporter suspects child abuse and makes a report there will be no consequence, if the reporting party is acting in good nature. All reporters are “immune from[...]
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Who do I Report to? The statute states:“Reports are to be made to a peace officer or to child protective services…except if the report concerns a person who does not have care, custody, or control of the minor, the report shall be[...]
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