What the State of Illinois mandates

According to DCFS — and the State of Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA) — state law mandates that workers in certain professions must make reports if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect. Therefore, mandated reporters are professionals who may work with children in the course of their professional duties.

There are seven groups of mandated reporters as defined in ANCRA:

• Medical Personnel: physician, dentist, LPN, RN, medical social worker, emergency medical technician, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, hospital administrator, psychiatrist, surgeon, resident, intern, dental hygienist, pathologist, osteopath, Christian Science practitioner, podiatrist, and other personnel involved in the examination care or treatment of patients.

• School Personnel: teacher, principal, school counselor, school nurse, school social worker, assistant principal, truant officer, school psychologist, other school personnel, educational advocates assigned to a child pursuant to the school code.

• Social Service/Mental Health Personnel: mental health personnel, social worker, psychologist, domestic violence personnel, substance abuse treatment personnel, staff of the state agencies dealing with children such as Department of Human Services, Department of Public Aid, Department of Public Health, Department of Corrections, and Department of Children and Family Services.

• Law Enforcement Personnel: employees of the court, parole/probation officer, emergency services staff, police, states attorney and staff, and juvenile officer.

• Coroner/Medical Examiner Personnel.

• Child Care Personnel: includes all staff at overnight, day care, preschool or nursery school facilities, recreational program personnel, foster parents.

• Members of Clergy: includes any member of the clergy that has reasonable cause to believe that a child known to him or her in a professional capacity may be an abused child.

According to Illinois ANCRA, “The protection of children is the responsibility of the entire community and the law provides that anyone may make a report to the (child abuse) Hotline.” The Hotline number is (800) 25-ABUSE (800-252-2873), or (217) 524-2606.

Under the state’s ANCRA, child abuse includes physical (also emotional), sexual abuse, and neglect. A more detailed definition of what constitutes these three types of child abuse can be found in the DCFS Manual for Mandated Reporters available on the DCFS Web site www.state.il.us/dcfs.

A mandated reporter is to report suspected child maltreatment immediately when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child known to them in their professional or official capacity may be an abused or neglected child.

Mandated reporters and other persons should call the Hotline when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused (physically or sexually) or neglected. The Hotline worker will determine if the information given by a reporter meets the legal requirements. If a report is taken by a Hotline worker, an investigation is commenced within 24 hours. The mandated reporter will be asked to supply a written confirmation of the verbal report within 48 hours.

There are certain criteria needed for a child abuse or neglect investigation to ensue. Those include: the alleged victim is a child under the age of 18; the alleged perpetrator is a parent, guardian, foster parent, relative, caregiver, paramour, any individual residing in the same home; any person responsible for the child’s welfare at the time of the alleged abuse or neglect; or any person who came to know the child through an official capacity or position of trust (for example, health care professionals, educational personnel, recreational supervisors, members of the clergy, volunteers or support personnel) in settings where children may be subject to abuse and neglect; there is specific incident of abuse or neglect or a specific set of circumstances involving suspected abuse or neglect; there is demonstrated harm to the child or a substantial risk of physical or sexual injury to the child.

People reporting suspected abuse should be ready to provide the Hotline with the following information: names, birth dates (or approximate ages), races, genders for all adult and child subjects; address for all victims and perpetrators, including current location; information about the siblings or other family members, if available; specific information about the abusive incident or the circumstances contributing to risk of harm — for example, when the incident occurred, the extent of the injuries, how the child says it happened, and any other pertinent information.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) provides several methods in which to obtain information about the procedures for mandated reporters.

One is the Manual for Mandated Reporters, another is Protecting the Children: A School Administrator’s Guide to Child Welfare Services in Illinois and most recently is the addition of the Mandatory Reporter Online Training. All are available on the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) Web site at  www.state.il.us/dcfs.

What the diocese mandates

The Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois states: “Allegations of sexual abuse of minors are of grave concern and must be dealt with in a professional manner. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities and will cooperate in their investigation. In every instance, the diocese will advise and support a person’s right to make a report to public authorities.”

To make a report: “Everyone who has reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual abuse of a minor by church personnel has a serious moral obligation to report the allegation to the appropriate public authority (DCFS Hotline or the local police authority) and to the victim assistance coordinator” at (217) 321-1155. “When such a report is made, the diocesan bishop will consider in accord with the norms of canon law, whether it has a semblance of truth. He may involve the Diocesan Review Board in the assessment of the report.”

Who are church personnel? Church personnel includes 1) all priests and deacons incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and in “good standing”; 2) other priests and deacons who have the faculties of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois; 3) All members of the institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life (hereinafter, “religious”) and lay persons who are employed full-time or part-time in parish schools, agencies and other institutions of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois; 4) All religious, and lay persons who as volunteers have regular or significant contact with minors in parishes, schools, agencies and other institutions in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

For more information, check these reference sources: The Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel can be found on the diocese’s Web site at  www.dio.org — select Safe Environment tab and Safe Environment Manual. Also included under the Safe Environment tab is the selection “How to Make a Report.”

A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse

God of endless love,

ever caring, ever strong,

always present, always just;

You gave your only Son

to save us by the blood of his cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,

join to your own suffering

the pain of all who have been hurt

in body, mind and spirit

by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize

over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers,

Soothe restless hearts with hope,

steady shaken spirits with faith:

Show us the way to justice and wholeness,

enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,

heal your people’s wounds

and transform our brokenness.

Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,

so that we may act with justice

and find peace in you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2004