When to Report After 17 years on the job at a child abuse hotline, Dale Dawson is alert to both the signs of abuse and ways to make his state's legal system work best to protect children. Because child abuse laws differ by state, teachers need to become knowledgeable about the laws that apply to them. The first thing Christian school teachers should know is that in California and many other states, anyone who is professionally involved with caring for or supervising the care of children is a mandated reporter. This could be a principal, teacher, or janitor working in the school. It is very important that they leave the investigation to specialists and that they do not interrogate children or call to check on a story.
Efforts can be well meaning but can prove harmful to the child and perpetuate abuse.
It is crucial to know that teachers should report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect, not try to gather evidence. Christian teachers, Dawson notes, are already experts on how a healthy, happy child acts. Being alert to an abused child means noticing the differences. Here are several indicators of a potential abuse situation. Note burn marks, bruises, abrasions, fractures, and scratches.