Abuse or Neglect of a Minor
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Reporting Responsibility
Any University personnel with reasonable cause to believe that a minor known to them in the scope of their work for Northwestern may be neglected or abused is required to immediately report the incident. Any doubt about reporting a case of suspected abuse or neglect should be resolved in favor of making an immediate report.
How to report child abuse or neglect
Report to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
Any University personnel with reasonable cause to believe that a minor may be neglected or abused are required to report.
Access Illinois Child Abuse HotlineConfidentiality and Child Abuse Reporting
Illinois law protects the identity of mandated reporters and gives them immunity from liability for making good faith reports, although reporters may be obligated to testify if a case becomes subject to legal or judicial actions.
Questions regarding mandated reporting? Please reach out to university.compliance@northwestern.edu.
Learn more about this issue
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will see my report?
When a Hotline intake worker takes a report, the information from the reporter is entered into the DCFS computer database system and sent electronically to the DCFS computer database system and sent electronically to the DCFS field office responsible for the area in which the child resides.
More information can be found in the Illinois DCFS Manual for Mandated Reporters.
What will happen to me after I report?
All investigations of abuse and neglect require that the DCFS Child Protection Specialist contacts the mandated reporter. This contact will verify information that was documented by the Hotline worker and obtain any additional information that you may have about the case. Usually, the Child Protection Specialist will contact you soon after the report is filed, especially if the child can be contacted through you.
More information can be found in the Illinois DCFS Manual for Mandated Reporters.
What are the next steps? Will I be told the resolution of what I shared?
During an investigation, the DCFS Child Protection Specialists gather information about the specific allegation(s) of harm to the child. At the end of that process, the Child Protection Specialist must determine if the report is “indicated” or “unfounded”. The standard of proof is “credible evidence”, a lower standard than that required for any judicial procedure. The lower standard of proof allows DCFS to serve families and protect children in many situations that could not be proven using higher law enforcement or judicial standards. DCFS can indicate the case if the Child Protection Specialist finds that there is credible evidence that the perpetrator committed abuse or neglect. If credible evidence is lacking, the case will be unfounded.
Mandated reporters will receive notification from the State Central Register if a report is “unfounded.” If the mandated reporter disagrees with this finding, he or she may request a review of the investigation within 10 days of being notified. The steps to take in requesting such a review will be described in the notification letter.
More information can be found in the Illinois DCFS Manual for Mandated Reporters.
Can I talk to someone to report or explore my options?