In Indiana, we’re all ‘mandated reporters’

LETTERS: Nov. 15, 2011

Posted: Monday, November 14, 2011 6:16 pm
In Indiana, we’re all ‘mandated reporters’
To the Editor:
With all of the news about Penn State and their involvement in the alleged sexual abuse scandal and who and what should have been reported, I feel it is important to share what Indiana’s law is regarding mandated reporting. Under Indiana law, any individual who has a reason to believe a child is a victim of abuse or neglect, has a duty to make a report. With this premise, every citizen in Indiana is considered a “mandated reporter.” Professional reporters, such as staff members in a medical facility, school employees and any social service agency or facility are legally obligated by their profession to report alleged child abuse or neglect. Further, according to IC 31-33-5-2, “if an individual is required to make a report under this article in the individual’s capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school facility or agency, the individual shall immediately notify the individual in charge of the institution, school facility or agency, or the designated agent of the individual in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency.”
However, unlike Pennsylvania, Indiana’s law does not relieve an individual of the responsibility to report even if they have notified the individual in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency. IC 31-33-5-3 states “this chapter does not relieve an individual of the obligation to report on the individual’s own behalf, unless a report has already been made to the best of the individual’s belief.” More simply stated if an individual has reported suspected abuse to the person in charge of the institution, such as Coach Paterno is reported to have done, in Indiana, the individual needs to know a subsequent report was made to the Department of Child Service or Law Enforcement personnel, or make the report themselves.
In Indiana, all reports of suspected abuse and neglect are handled through a centralized hotline operated by the Department of Child Services. The hotline is staffed with professionally trained Intake Specialists who take reports of abuse and neglect. The Intake Specialist will document all information provided during a call and will then send a typed report to the Hotline Supervisor for review, with a recommendation to either assign the case for assessment or to screen out the report. If the Supervisor agrees with the recommendation to assign for assessment, the report is then electronically transmitted to the local Department of Child Services in the county where the abuse or neglect is claimed to have occurred. It will then be assigned to a Family Case Manager to initiate and conduct an assessment of the allegations. If the Intake Specialist makes a recommendation that a report be “screened out” this means they do not believe that the allegations meet the statutory definition of child abuse or neglect. All “screen outs” must be reviewed and approved by the Hotline Supervisors.
When making a report, you may make the report anonymously, although it is helpful to DCS if you give your information so if there is any follow up to the assessment, they can contact you as needed for further information. Essentially you will be asked to provide information about what happened, who was involved and where it occurred, as well as any injuries that were sustained. Even if you cannot provide all of the information, do not let that stop you from reporting suspected abuse or neglect. As concerned citizens or mandated reporters, it is not our job to determine conclusively if abuse or neglect is occurring, but to report suspicions of abuse or neglect to the professionals who can assess and provide services as needed.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please call the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Your call can make the difference in a child and family receiving services to insure they are safe and healthy.

Karen Branch, LSW

Executive Director

Montgomery County Youth 

Service Bureau

This letter was printed in the Journal Review. I thought I would share with those who don't take the paper. Nice letter Karen. Thanks for reminding us we can't turn a blind eye to these children. Our call may be the one call that gets them the help they need. What kind of world would it be if we all turned a blind eye to those in need?

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