Mandated reporting for child abuse and neglect
How to Report in North Carolina
If you suspect that a child is being abused, you must report what you know to the county Department of Social Services.
Visit this site to find your county Department of Social Services.
PROFESSIONALS REQUIRED TO REPORT
Any person or institution that has cause to suspect abuse or neglect shall report.
REPORTING BY OTHER PERSONS
All persons who have cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, or has died as the result of maltreatment, shall report.
STANDARDS FOR MAKING A REPORT
A report is required when a reporter has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, or has died as the result of maltreatment.
INCLUSION OF REPORTER'S NAME IN REPORT
The report shall give the name, address, and telephone number of the reporter. Refusal shall not preclude the department's investigation.
DISCLOSURE OF REPORTER IDENTITY
The Department of Social Services shall hold the identity of the reporter in strictest confidence, except the department shall disclose confidential information regarding the identity of the reporter to any Federal, State, or local government entity or its agent with a court order. The department may only disclose confidential information regarding the identity of the reporter to a Federal, State, or local government entity or its agent without a court order when the entity demonstrates a need for the reporter's name to carry out the entity's mandated responsibilities.
MANDATED CARETAKER REPORTS TO DSS
7B-301. Duty to report abuse, neglect, dependency, or death due to maltreatment.
(a) Any person or institution who has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, as defined by G.S. 7B-101, or has died as the result of maltreatment, shall report the case of that juvenile to the director of the department of social services in the county where the juvenile resides or is found.
MANDATED REPORTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
14- 318.6(b). Any person 18 years or older who knows or should have reasonably known that a juvenile has been or is the victim of a violent offense, sexual offense, or misdemeanor child abuse under G.S. 14-318.2 shall immediately report the case of that juvenile to the appropriate local law enforcement agency in the county where the juvenile resides or is found. Crimes Included:
Serious Bodily Injury
Serious Physical Injury
Sexually violent Offense (including attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit)
Violent Offenses: any offense that inflicts serious bodily injury or serious physical injury that is not by accident (including attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit)