You suspect a learner is being abused or neglected

• Suspected abuse

The situation

Something you have seen or heard makes you reasonably suspect that a learner is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused, or neglected — an unexplained injury, a disclosure, a pattern of fear, signs of not being fed or cared for. You are not certain, and you are not sure whether it is your place to say anything.

Contact now

• Child protective services
• Adult protective services
• Your supervising BCBA
• Your agency safety officer

Right now

If the learner is in immediate danger, call emergency services. Otherwise make the report to the protective-services agency for your state yourself, today, and then tell your supervisor. Do not investigate, confront the suspected person, or promise the learner you will keep it secret.

Mandated reporting

In most US states people who provide services to children or vulnerable adults are mandated reporters. The legal standard is reasonable suspicion, not proof, and the duty is personal: telling your supervisor or employer does not by itself satisfy it, and an employer may not stop you from reporting. Good-faith reports are protected.

Write down

• Write down exactly what you saw or heard, in the learner's words where there were words, with the date and time.
• Record the time you made the report, the agency you reported to, and any reference number you were given.
• Record when you informed your supervisor.
• Keep your notes factual and free of conclusions; describe, do not interpret.

Mandated-reporter duties, deadlines and hotlines are set by state law and differ by state. Your employer's policy will add steps but cannot remove the legal duty.

Terms used here

• Mandated Reporter
• Objective Language
• Confidentiality