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Nest's Prevention Curriculum - SB9 Lessons: Secondary

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Signs of Exploitation and Mandatory Reporting Guidelines

Do you and your students know who to call for help?

National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline:
‍1 (888) 373-7888

Signs of Exploitation

Indicators of Sexual or Other Types of Physical Abuse Can Include the Following:

  • Injuries to the eyes or both sides of the head or body (accidental injuries typically affect only one side of the body);
  • Frequent injuries of any kind (bruises, cuts, and/or burns), especially if the child is unable to provide an adequate explanation of the cause. These injuries might appear in distinctive patterns, such as grab marks, human bite marks, cigarette burns, or impressions of other instruments;
  • Destructive, aggressive, or disruptive behavior;
  • Passive, withdrawn, or emotionless behavior;
  • Fear of going home or fear of parent(s), guardian(s), or other caregivers.

Indicators Specific to Sexual Assault Can Include the Following:

  • Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases;
  • Injury to the genital area;
  • Difficulty and/or pain when sitting or walking;
  • Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behavior or verbalization;
  • Expression of age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual relations;
  • Sexual victimization of other children.

Indicators of Maltreatment Can Include the Following:

  • Obvious malnourishment, listlessness, or fatigue;
  • Stealing or begging for food;
  • Lack of personal care—poor personal hygiene, torn and/or dirty clothes;
  • Untreated need for glasses, dental care, or other medical attention;
  • Frequent absence from or tardiness to school;
  • Child inappropriately left unattended or without supervision.

Mandatory Reporting Guidelines

It is possible that a student might disclose sexual assault or other experiences that have been triggered by the material in this curriculum. Before beginning your work with the curriculum, it is vital that you review mandatory reporter laws and any reporter training you have experienced within your school or district.

In addition, it is essential that you consult appropriate school staff, as well as any required district staff, for clearance of this curriculum and discussion of school, district, local, state, and any other laws, regulations, and rules relative to mandatory reporting or other required action relative to disclosure and presentation of the content of the film and curriculum. If you are working with other teachers, facilitators, and or/counselors, review the procedures together, and clarify your team’s response to any student who might disclose.

1. Know Mandatory Reporting Laws

Current Reporting Laws by State

Remember that states, and sometimes other jurisdictions, have their own laws related to mandatory reporting. Be sure to know the specifics of the laws, rules, and regulations in your area, school, and district. You should also discuss these laws with your school principal and any legal professionals your school recommends. One source for state laws appears below; however, this information must be reviewed in consideration of school, local, state, and any other laws, regulations, and rules.
‍
Current State Reporting Laws, Department of Health and Human Services
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Samples related to mandatory reporter rules appear below. These might or might not conform to requirements of your school/district/local government/state, so it is imperative that you inform yourself of school, district, local, state, and any other applicable laws, regulations, and rules.

Report suspected child abuse, maltreatment, or self-harm if you are presented with a reasonable cause to suspect the child is in a situation in which another child, parent/guardian or other person older than 18 is causing harm, neglect, or maltreatment. The list at the top of this page provides examples of indicators of abuse and maltreatment. This is not a comprehensive list, so do not hesitate to report if an indicator is not present on this list.

2. Know the process for reporting within your school.

You might have to document the conversation or the indicators you witnessed, the date, and the time. Be sure to write your report as soon as possible, knowing that a specific time frame likely exists within which you must consult with your school leadership, notify families if necessary, and make the report to the appropriate agency or agencies in your state.

3. Remind students of your obligation as a reporter.

If you are a mandatory reporter, it is important to remind students of your obligation to report prior to discussing sensitive materials. By reminding students, you are keeping them safe, so they know what will happen if they tell you about any harm being done to them. It’s important that if a student does disclose, the student doesn’t find out after the fact that you are obligated to report, as this could be harmful and traumatizing to a student. Also, once a student discloses, be sure to remind the student again that you are a mandatory reporter and that you will be documenting the conversation and sending the information to a child protective service agency in order to make sure the child is kept safe.

4. Be familiar with triggers and be prepared if a student discloses.

If a student discloses, it is important that you handle the situation with care and sensitivity, so as not to re-traumatize or harm the student. Your top priority if a student discloses is to make sure that you keep that student safe. For this reason, you should not press the student to reveal more than is comfortable for the student. If you do feel you need more information to form reasonable cause, get the basics: “who, what, when, and where.” It is important to remember and practice the following:

  • Express your belief that the child is telling the truth.
  • Avoid leading questions or strong reactions to what the child is telling you.
  • Do not try to determine whether what the child is saying is valid or invalid.
  • Do not call the parent before you report. Determine with your principal or school counselor if this is necessary at all. In some cases it is not safe, and best to avoid, unless the student has disclosed harm to self.
  • “Less is more.” Don’t ask for too many details, as this could re-traumatize the child and interfere with further investigations.
  • If the child recants, you must still make the report, but be sure to include the fact that the child recanted.

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