Reporting Abuse

 

Oregon law defines physical abuse as an injury to a child that is not accidental. The public plays a key role in reporting suspected child abuse or neglect by reporting to law enforcement or child welfare.

It is not your responsibility to investigate abuse, interview the child, or get all the facts.

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Just contact the authorities with your suspicion so that children and families get the support and care they need.

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Anyone can report suspected child abuse. Certain professionals are mandated reporters, meaning they are required by law to report suspected abuse. Learn more about mandated reporting in Oregon and in Washington.

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People in certain professions are mandatory reporters and, by law, must make a report if they suspect child abuse. Policemen, teachers, doctors, firefighters, paramedics, counselors, ministers are all mandatory reporters.

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Even if you are not a mandatory reporter you should call law enforcement or child welfare if you suspect a child is the victim of abuse. If possible report the names and addresses of the child and parent; the child's age; the type and extent of the abuse, as well as any previous evidence of abuse; the explanation given for the abuse; and any other information that will help establish the cause of abuse or identify the abuser.

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If you report suspected child abuse your identity can remain confidential to the full extent allowable by law. If court action is initiated, the reporting person may be called as a witness or the court may order that the reporter's name be disclosed. Only people with firsthand knowledge of the child's situation can provide testimony proving that abuse has occurred.