Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect FAQ

General

Abuse: The physical, sexual or emotional harm or risk of harm to a minor (under the age of 18) caused by a parent or other person who acts as a caregiver for the minor. 

Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian or another caregiver to provide for a child or youth's basic needs.  Neglect can come in many forms including physical, medical, educational and emotional.

You may notice physical and/or behavioral signs of abuse in a minor.  

Physical Signs may include:

  • bruises, burns, cuts, broken bones, sprains, dislocated joints
  • injuries at different stages of healing or with distinctive shapes
  • unexplained injuries

Behavioral Signs may include:

  • wearing long sleeves out of season
  • afraid of certain adults or going with them
  • withdrawn, depressed, anxious
  • self-destructive, acting out or being agressive
  • violent themes in play, artwork, etc.
  • reports of severe discipline

Reference: 
Childhelp

Additional Resources:
Child USA
Child Welfare Information Gateway
CO 4 Kids
U.S. Center for Safesport


 

 

 

You may consider the possibility of neglect if the child:

  • is frequently absent
  • is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
  • lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
  • says there's no one home to provide care

Reference: 
Child Welfare Information Gateway

Additional Resources:
Childhelp
Child USA
Child Welfare Information Gateway
CO 4 Kids
U.S. Center for Safesport

This can be a difficult conversation for you and especially the child.  Remain calm and remember:

Do:

  • Tell them it is not their fault and that you believe them
  • Listen carefully, ask only (if needed):
    • What happened?
    • When did it happen?
    • Where did it happen?
    • Who did it?
    • How do you know them? (if relationship to the abuser is unclear)
  • Take what is said seriously, let the child know that while you may look and sound upset, they have done the right thing, “If I look and sound upset it’s because I’m concerned that you don’t feel safe.”
  • Let them know you’ll do what you can to help them
  • Write down things the child said in exact quotes

Don’t:

  • Make promises, especially not to tell anyone
  • Ask leading or probing questions or imply the child is at fault
  • Investigate
  • Confront the suspected abuser
  • Ask the child to repeat the disclosure
  • Discuss the disclosure with anyone other than appropriate authorities
  • Delay in reporting the disclosure

References:
Childhelp
Children's Advocacy Center
Girlguiding

Additional Resources:
CO 4 Kids
Darkness to Light
Parenting Safe Children
US Center for Safesport
 

Reporting

Per the University of Colorado Boulder Discrimination & Harassment Policy, anyone who works in direct contact with minors (anyone under the age of 18), must report suspected child abuse or neglect.  If a minor discloses sexual abuse or other misconduct with you, you must file a report.

In an Emergency

  1. Call 9-1-1. Ask for a report/case number.
  2. Tell your supervisor (unless they are the subject of the report).
  3. If you suspect the abuse is sexual in nature, contact OIEC at 303-492-2127 or cureport@colorado.edu within 24 hours;
    1. You may ask your supervisor to contact OIEC if you would prefer.

Note:  If the suspected culprit is to pick up the child in the next hour, this would be an emergency call. If the child is being picked up by another caregiver, then it would be a non-emergency call. 

Non-Emergency Situations

  1. Call University of Colorado Police at 303-492-6666. Ask for a report/case number.
  2. Then tell your supervisor (unless they are the subject of the report). 
  3. If you suspect the abuse is sexual in nature, contact OIEC at 303-492-2127 or cureport@colorado.edu within 24 hours;
    1. You may ask your supervisor to contact OIEC if you would prefer.

Include as many details as you can.  If you're reporting a disclosure, have your notes ready based on what the child told you.  

Be prepared to give the following:

  • Identification of the child and the suspected perpetrator
  • Location of the abuse or suspected abuse
  • Nature of the abuse or neglect
  • How you became aware of the abuse or neglect
  • Witnesses (if applicable)
  • Any other relevant information you may have

Be prepared to answer questions including, but not limited to:

  • Where is the child now?
  • Where is the alleged perpetrator now?
  • How long has this been going on?
  • Are there other children in the home?
  • Is medical intervention necessary?
  • Are there physical indicators?
  • What is the relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the child?

References:

Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

If you are making a report in good faith, you really believe there may be abuse or neglect happening, you are protected by law.  However, if you do not report, and it is found that you had knowledge or suspected abuse or neglect, you may be held liable for not reporting your suspicions.  

A report is required when a mandatory reporter has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

Individuals or institutions in Colorado who report suspected child abuse and/or neglect “shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, or termination of employment that otherwise might result by reason of such acts of participation, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such person’s behavior was willful, wanton, and malicious” if they report in “good faith,” which means they have not reported recklessly or with no reasonable basis for making a report.  

Colorado state law indicates that good faith is presumed unless challenged by the person claiming the report was not made in good faith. Making a child abuse and/or neglect report is your evidence that you fulfilled your mandate to report.

Source: C.R.S. 19-3-304 and C.R.S. 19-3-309