4.2
We Act...
by cooperating with further investigation
After a report of suspected child abuse is made to ChildLine, the local Child Protective Services (CPS) Agency is notified and they start their investigation. Watch the video below to learn more about the importance of making a report and what happens after a report is made.
Christina Phillips is the director of training at the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance.
You might hesitate to report suspected child abuse because you don’t understand what will happen after you make a report.
When you call ChildLine, you are reporting a suspicion, not making an accusation or conducting an investigation. You are simply alerting authorities with appropriate training and resources that a child and a family may be in need of help and protection.
Once a report of suspected abuse is made to ChildLine, the investigation process begins. ChildLine personnel will contact the county Children and Youth office to inform them of the report.
If you suspect abuse, you might not want to make a report because you’re afraid of being wrong. It’s important to know that there will be an investigation, and certain steps have to be taken in order to determine if abuse is occurring.As part of the investigative process, the caseworker will conduct interviews with any persons who are known, or may be expected to have information about the incident of alleged child abuse.
In certain situations, the report of suspected child abuse is also referred to law enforcement officials by the county agency. When the initial inquiry by the county agency provides evidence that certain types of offenses have occurred, the county agency ensures the safety of the child, then immediately contacts law enforcement.
Within a maximum of sixty days of receiving a report of suspected child abuse, the county agency submits its decision regarding the report to ChildLine. The status options are: Unfounded, Indicated, or Founded.
If a county agency determines a child is in danger of further abuse, it will take appropriate action and maintain involvement with the family in order to provide services.
HideWhat happens after a report is made?
After a report is made to the local CPS agency, there is a 24-hour time frame to see the child and conduct an initial interview. During the interview, CPS will begin to assess a child's safety, create a safety plan, and begin determining if the reported allegations of abuse are rising to the level of the legal definition of abuse. CPS has 30 days to complete an investigation. The court could be petitioned for an additional 30 days (max 60 days) if needed to thoroughly complete an investigation.
Do you Know...
In Pennsylvania, what percentage of substantiated abuse cases are sexual abuse cases?
53% of substantiated cases of abuse in PA are sexual abuse.
-- PA Department of Welfare Annual Child Abuse Report (2011)
There are three possible outcomes to a CPS investigation:
- Founded — Based on the investigation, there has been a judicial ruling that the child has been abused.
- Indicated — Based on available medical evidence, the CPS investigation, or an admission of abuse by the perpetrator/offender, it has been determined (but not confirmed in court) that substantial evidence of the alleged abuse exists.
- Unfounded — Not enough evidence was found during this investigation to confirm abuse; however, this does not necessarily mean that no abuse occurred. The mandated reporter is required to report again if ongoing concerns about a child's safety arise after an investigation has concluded.
While you now know the process for making a report, you may still have some questions or concerns about reporting. We will look at some common barriers in the next section.