Comments for From my son's mouth: How do we handle the disclosure?

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Jul 03, 2008
 Disclose to CPS...
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

While I understand that as her friend, you want to inform "Jack's" mother, DON'T. You don't know what you don't know. Although a disclosure of this type on the surface implicates Jack's father, that may or may not be the case. By approaching EITHER parent, you could jeopardize an investigation. Furthermore, since there is a divorce in the works, there are custodial factors that come into play, and could also be put at risk. You do not want to get involved in such issues. Leave it to the professionals.

The protocol to follow is to report what your son said to you to Child Protective Services. They will ask you to relay the details of your conversation with your son. Do not further question your son; take your queue from the intake worker you speak with. If you're unsure how to proceed with your son after you make the report, ask the intake worker for some guidance.

As for reporting anonymously, according to the information I have retrieved regarding the laws around reports of child abuse in the State of New York, the report must include the name and contact information of the person doing the reporting (that would be you), however, that information shall not be disclosed.

Before closing, I must say that I am particularly impressed with the way you communicate with your son. Permission to "potty talk"...wonderful!

Darlene Barriere
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir

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