Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting

All employees of higher education institutions are required to report child abuse to law enforcement or the Department of Human Resources. This includes faculty, staff, and student assistants and your obligations continue 24/7 no matter where you are. For instances related to OSU authorized activities, use OSU's Mandatory Reporting Form. For all other instances, report an incident to law enforcement or the Department of Human Services. A "child" is considered anyone under the age of 18.

What is Child Abuse and Neglect?

“Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” - Child Welfare Information Gateway Factsheet

Make a Report: Your report will be confidential unless called as a witness or disclosed by a court order

OSU Mandatory Reporting Form (for instances related to OSU authorized activities)
Call 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse or neglect of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services.

If possible, provide the following information:

- Names and addresses of the child and parent
- Child’s age
- Type and extent of abuse
- The explanation given for the abuse
- Any other information that will help establish the cause of abuse or identify the abuser

Failing to report is subject to a Class A criminal violation and maximum fine of $2,000.

For information on how "abuse" is defined, please see Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse & Neglect (OSU) or Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse (Oregon Department of Human Services)