California and Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Child Abuse
California law mandates that school system employees must report suspected abuse. The California Department of Education (CDE) website lists signs of abuse for teachers to be aware of in their students.
We’ve taken these warning signs of sexual abuse in children directly from the CDE website:
- Trouble walking or sitting.
- Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.
- Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.
- Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities.
- Has a sexually transmitted disease (STD), especially under the age of fourteen.
- Runs away from home.
Of course, these are the signs that teachers, administrators, and other school employees would look for in students to detect sexual abuse from any adult. But they do apply if a fellow teacher is an abuser. If school employees do not act on these signs, they and/or the school system can be held liable.
Case Barnett Law Can Help
We specialize in Child Injury Law and can help you navigate the often complicated process of reporting physical and sexual abuse at school.
The thing parents must realize is that your child may require ongoing psychological help if he or she has been traumatized by a teacher, coach, or other adult in authority. You deserve just compensation for not only pain and suffering but also these ongoing expenses.
Also, schools should be held to a higher standard, so if your lawsuit gets a predator out of the system, you have done your community a service.