Recognizing and

Reporting Child
Abuse

New Jersey Law

Professionals REQUIRED to report
No professional groups are specified in statute; all persons
are required to report

Reporting by other persons

Ann. Stat. 9:6 - 8.10
Any persons having reasonable cause to believe that a
child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect or
acts of child abuse SHALL report

Standards for making a report

Ann. Stat. 9.6 - 8.10
A report is required when a person has reasonable
cause to believe that a child has been subjected to
abuse or neglect

KNOW THE
TYPES OF
ABUSE
PHYSICAL
SEXUAL
EMOTIONAL
NEGLECT
ABANDONMENT

CLASSROOM
SIGNS
Abnormal absences
Poor performance, short attention span
Nervous, disruptive, withdrawn behavior
Tiredness, malnourishment, poor hygiene
Frequent complaints of pain, injuries
Lack of necessary medical attention

Physical and
Behavioral Indicators
of Child Abuse and
Neglect
Please refer to hand out

MAKING THE CALL

1-877-NJ ABUSE (6522873)
24 HOURS A DAY - 7 DAYS A WEEK
Any person having a reasonable cause to believe that
a child has been abused or neglected has a legal
responsibility to report it to the DIVISION OF
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES (DYFS)
Calls CAN be made anonymously

Things You Should

Know About Making
The Call
Names of reporters of child abuse and neglect
are confidential. However, in the event of a
court action, their identities may be revealed
during litigation
Calls CAN be made anonymously, but
The investigator may need to clarify information with
the reporter, or have additional questions
School staff MAY be entitled to feedback, under certain
circumstances(e.g., reporters can be informed whether
services will be provided to the family or child involved

What do I need when

making a call?

Childs name, age, address and phone #

Parent/Guardian name
Childs present location and physical
condition
Date, time, place, and description of abuse
Extent of medical attention received
Data on suspected offender

Details Make A
Difference, If you
know

WHO identify the people involved the child, the alleged

perpetrator, the perpetrators relationship to the child; parents,
siblings, others in the home, dates of birth, addresses

WHAT What type of abuse/neglect is suspected? Describe the

incident. What happened that caused your concern? Childs
current condition

WHERE Where did the incident take place? Where is the child
now? Does the alleged perpetrator have access to the child?

Details Make A
Difference, If you
know..
WHEN When did the incident happen? What is the
frequency of the abuse/neglect? When did you learn about
this?
HOW How urgent is the need for intervention? Is there a
likelihood of danger for the caseworker?
School personnel also should let DYFS know when and how
the child will be released from school to ensure the childs
safety

Immunity From Civil

and Criminal
Liability
Any person who, in good faith, reports child
abuse or neglect, and testifies in a child abuse
hearing resulting from such a report is immune
from any criminal or civil liability as a result of
such action.

Penalty For Failure

To Report
Any person who knowingly fails to report
suspected abuse or neglect according to
the law or to comply with the provisions of
the law is a disorderly person subject to a
fine up to $1,000 or up to 6 months
imprisonment, or BOTH

Frequently Asked
Questions
Q. Some teachers and school staff are hesitant about calling the
Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). Can school
personnel report the suspected child abuse to the school
administrator, school nurse, or principal so that the staff
member does not have to make the actual call?
A. By law (N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10), and Department of Education regulations
(N.J.A.C.6:29-9), any person having a reasonable cause to believe that
a child has been abused or neglected in any environment (e.g. home,
school, institution, foster home, etc.) is required to immediately notify
DYFS by calling the Child Abuse Hotline 1-877-NJ ABUSE. Reporting
through a secondary source creates unnecessary delays in reporting,
possibly resulting in further harm to the child, and does not satisfy the
statutory requirement to report directly to DYFS. In addition, the DYFS
screener may need information known only to the person who
suspected the abuse.

Frequently Asked
Questions
Q. Should school personnel not touch
children to be safe from child abuse
allegations?
A. It is not the position of DYFS that school
personnel should not touch children, but any
contact or interaction, including verbal,
should be within established professional
practice for school personnel.

Frequently Asked
Questions
Q. Can a staff member decline to accompany a
child during an interview conducted by a DYFS
caseworker, if the child has asked for that staff
person to be present?
A. Yes. A staff member may decline to accompany a
child during the DYFS interview. However, it is
important that DYFS interviewers know that the staff
member will not be participating in the interview. The
sole purpose for including them in the interview is to
provide comfort and support to the child.

Frequently Asked
Questions
Q. Does the DYFS caseworker have the right to
exclude the principal from an interview?
A. Yes. The DYFS caseworker conducting the
investigation has the authority to exclude the principal
or his designee from an interview. Such exclusion
generally occurs if the student is intimidated by the
presence of the principal or designee, or if that person
is involved in the allegation. If the principal or
designee is involved in the allegation, that
investigation would be conducted by the DYFS
Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit.

Plumsted Township
District Policies
The person who has reported a case of possible child abuse
and/or neglect to DYFS shall promptly so inform the
Principal of the school in which the child is enrolled, unless
the employee has reason to believe that such disclosure to the
Principal would be likely to:
a.
b.
c.

Endanger the employee or the child;

Result in retaliation against the child; or
Result in discrimination against the referrer with
respect to his/her employment. (N.J.A.C. 6A:1610.2(a)1.)

Plumsted Township
District Policies
Any DYFS referral must be reported
to the local police department via our
district SRO Earl Meroney. If Earl
is not available, the police
department must be notified directly

Plumsted Township
District Policies
A pupil whose injuries or physical condition
require immediate medical attention shall
be reported promptly to the school nurse,
in accordance with Policy No. 8441

Plumsted Township
District Policies

The Board of Education and all district personnel will fully cooperate
with agents of DYFS in an investigation of child abuse and/or neglect
that has occurred at any time outside or within the confines of the
school or during school-related functions. (N.J.A.C. 6A:1610.2(a)4.i.)

The DYFS investigator will be permitted to interview the child in the

presence of the Principal or a person designated by the Principal. If
the child is intimidated by the Principal or his/her designee, the child
may be accompanied during the interview by a staff member whom
he/she feels will be supportive. The accompanying staff member will
give comfort to the child but will not participate in the investigation.
(N.J.A.C. 6A:16-10.2(a)7.i.)

Plumsted Township
District Policies

School administrators will cooperate with DYFS in scheduling

interviews with school personnel who may have information relevant
to the investigation. (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-10.2(a)7.ii.)

School employees shall regard as confidential all information about a

child abuse and/or neglect investigation remediation.

School Principals will permit agents of DYFS to remove pupils from

school during the school day when removal is necessary to protect the
child or to take the child to a service provider, on presentation of
appropriate authorization. (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-10.2(a)7.v.)

Plumsted Township
District Policies
School Principals will cooperate with DYFS when that
agency deems that it is necessary to remove the child from
his/her home for proper care and protection and when such
removal results in the transfer of the child to a school other
than the one in which he/she was enrolled. (N.J.A.C. 6A:1610.2(a)7.vi.)
School districts shall review all employee personnel files and
remove all references to complaints and/or investigations of
child abuse and/or neglect by DYFS that have been
classified as unfounded or unsubstantiated.

When in
doubt.
If you are unsure about your suspicions, or just
want a sounding board, PLEASE speak to Toni
Ferry, Claire Heagele, or Heather Smith
Never assume that you are being judgmental,
making assumptions, or
over- thinking a situation..Better to be safe
than sorry