Every Nebraskan required to report child abuse, neglect
Every year, more than 36,000 cases of child abuse or neglect are reported in the state of Nebraska.
Those reports do not just come from doctors, teachers, or those who interact with children the most.
Nebraska is one of just 18 states that requires by law any eligible adult, 19 or older, to report child abuse or neglect if they see or suspect it.
“Raising kids is our responsibility as a community, it’s not just up to parents, although they have the main responsibility, we do feel it’s really important as community members to say something if you see something,” said Laura Opfer, Training Director at the Child Advocacy Center.
The state statute, found here https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-711, states that any person with reasonable cause to believe a child is being abused or neglected can report it to law enforcement or anonymously report it by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-652-1999.
This requirement also comes with a penalty if not carried out.
In Nebraska, failure to report child abuse or neglect is a class III misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of three months’ imprisonment, a $500 fine, or both.
Signs of child abuse vary from case to case, and includes but is not limited to physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, child sexual exploitation.
Because child abuse comes in many forms, the Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln offers training to make sure people are equipped to recognize and respond to any signs they may come across.
“So there are four important questions that we focus on if a child is disclosing to you or someone you know, it’s important to ask what happened, when did it happen, who did it, and is this somebody who stays with you or lives with you?” Opfer said.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also offers resources on reporting child abuse and how to go about it. You can learn more here.
You can find out more about the Child Advocacy Center’s training here.
