Hope For Kids

Q: Whom do I report suspected child abuse and neglect to?
A: The child abuse and neglect report should be filed with the local Office of Community Services and/or law enforcement departments.

Q: Whom does the Office of Community Service investigate for child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse?
A: The Office of Community Service investigates cases of child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse that involves parent and/or caretakers.

Q: What is physical abuse of a child or children?
A: Physical Abuse of a child or children is the infliction, attempted infliction of physical or mental injury, exploitation or sexual abuse by parent or a responsible caretaker. Neglect is the refusal or failure of a parent or responsible caretaker tp supply the child or children with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment or counseling for any injury, illness or condition of the child or children, as a result of which the child’s physical, mental or emotional health is substantially threatened or impaired.

Q: What is neglect of a child or children?
A: Neglect is the refusal or failure of a parent or responsible caretaker tp supply the child or children with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment or counseling for any injury, illness or condition of the child or children, as a result of which the child’s physical, mental or emotional health is substantially threatened or impaired.

Q: What is child sexual abuse?
A: Child sexual abuses include vaginal, anal or oral penetration, fondling, voyeurism, obscene phone calls and use of pornography by parents or responsible caretakers.

Q: Who should report child abuse or neglect?
A: It is everyone’s moral duty to report child abuse and neglect to local Offices of Community Services and law enforcement departments, but it is not mandated by law.

Q: Who are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect as defined by the Louisiana Children’s Code – Article 603 (13)?
A: The following groups are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect in Louisiana.
            1. Health Practitioners
            2. Mental Health/Social Services Practitioners
            3. Teaching or Child Care Providers
            4. Police Officers or Law Enforcement Officials
            5. Commercial Film and Photographic Print Processors

Q: Who is considered a parent or caretaker of children under the Louisiana Children’s Code?
A: A parent or caretaker is defined as any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child, including a parent, boyfriend, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent and employees of a public or private day care center or other persons providing a residence for the child.

Q: What is the definition of a child according to the Louisiana Children’s Code?
A: A child is any person under the age of 18 years.

Q: In the United States, is the majority of sexual abuse crimes against children committed by total strangers?
A: NO. 90% of the sexual abuse of children is committed by people that they children know and trust.

Q: How can I find out if a person who has been convicted of child sexual abuse lives in my surrounding neighborhood?
A: If you have use of a computer and the internet, you can log onto www.lasocpr.lsp.org/socpr and follow the instructions.