Mandated reporter

A mandated reporter is a person, such as a teacher or counselor, who is legally required to report (or cause a report to be made) when what the state regards as abuse of a child is observed or suspected. Failure to file such a report can result in prosecution and loss of professional licenses. These reports are typically made to an agency such as Child Protective Services.

Trudell notes, "Contrary to the assumption of positive outcomes after reporting, the impact of an investigation (even one that is unsubstantiated) on a family can be devastating, sometimes actually increasing the amount of stress and placing the child at greater risk than before."