Mandated Reporting: Child Abuse

As mandated reporters, therapists are required to report child maltreatment under penalty of the law. The article focuses on CA law, specifically CANRA, the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.

Table of Contents:

What Constitutes Child Abuse

CANRA defines child abuse as:

Physical injury which includes non-accidental physical injury and death.
Sexual abuse (including sexual assault and sexual exploitation)
Willful harm or injury to a child or endangering the person or health of a child
Unlawful corporal punishment (a traumatic condition inflicted on child is reportable)
Neglect which involves severe and general neglect which result in a negative impact on child’s person or health.

CA law requires mandated reporters submit a report within 36 hours of learning about suspected child abuse.

Reporting

There is a two-step process for mandated reporters.

First, an initial call must be made to either child protective services or local law enforcement. Below are a few useful numbers for those in the LA/Orange county area.

CPS Orange County: (714) 940-1000 / (800) 207-4464 (24/7)

CPS LA County: (800) 540-4000

Orange County Sheriff: (714) 647-7000 / (949) 770-6011

Los Angeles County Sheriff: (800) 698-8255

The second step is submitting an additional written report. The form can be found and submitted electronically on the OCSSA.OCGOV.com website. The form can also be faxed to the local CPS agency at (714) 938-0289 using this printable form found here. The printable form is also available at the bottom of this post and under Downloads.

What You Need to Make a Report

Once you have determined that there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse, you can make a report. You do not need proof of child abuse to report. Additionally, cases of severe emotional damage, as evidenced by severe anxiety or depression, are reportable, but not mandated.

Here is information you will need to have available when you call:

Your name, business address, and phone number
What makes you a mandated reporter
What information gave you reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect and the source of that information

Here is information you will want to include if you know it:

Child’s name, address, and present location (ie. school, grade, and class)
Names, addresses, and phone numbers of alleged perpetrators and other relevant information about them

Be aware that you can only include necessary and relevant information so as not to break confidentiality.

Sexual Intercourse Involving a Minor

California law surrounding mandatory reporting on a minor involved in sexual intercourse is complicated. A table below from Caldwell (2024) outlines when it is considered consensual versus when it is reportable and considered statutory rape.