Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting
Georgia law § 19-7-5(a) mandates reports of suspected child abuse by school employees. Mandatory reporting of abuse is intended "to cause the protective services of the state to be brought to bear on the situation." and the law "shall be liberally construed so as to carry out the[se] purposes."
An oral report of suspected abuse should be made immediately, "but in no case later than 24 hours from the time there is reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused, by telephone or otherwise and followed by a report in writing, if requested, to a child welfare agency providing protective services . . . or, in the absence of such agency, to an appropriate police authority or district attorney." O.C.G.A. 19-7-5(e).
In addition to professional repercussions, such as termination of employment, a person required to report a suspected case of child abuse who knowingly and willfully fails to do so shall be guilty of a criminal misdemeanor. (O.C.G.A. 19-7-5(h)).
All District employees and volunteers are mandatory reporters under Georgia law.
If you have any questions about the VCS Mandated reporter requirements, please contact
Deanna Folsom, School Social Services Coordinator - Valdosta City
Schools. 229-671-6067 - dfolsom@gocats.org
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