Edmonds School District No. 15
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5789
8310 - CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION
Adopted
12/20/76
Revised
5/5/80
7/19/88
7/12/94
Because child abuse and neglect are both a violation of
children's human rights and an obstacle to their educational development,
staff shall be alert for any evidence of such abuse or neglect. For purposes
of this policy, "child abuse or neglect" shall mean the injury,
sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or negligent treatment or maltreatment
of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's
health, welfare, and/or safety is harmed.
The superintendent shall develop reporting procedures, including sample
indicators of abuse and neglect, and shall disseminate the procedures
to all staff. Any conditions or information that cause a staff member
to suspect that child abuse or neglect has occurred must be reported to
Children's Protective Services within 48 hours.
Since staff are legally responsible for reporting all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, they are free from liability due to reporting instances of abuse or neglect and are criminally liable for failure to do so. Staff need not verify that a child has in fact been abused or neglected. Legal authorities have the responsibility for investigating each case and taking such action as is appropriate under the circumstances.