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Florida has the strictest mandatory child abuse reporting law in the nation. On 10/1/2012, Florida’s Protection of Vulnerable Persons Act (Florida Statutes Section 39.201) became law.

The law requires everyone in the state of Florida to personally report any type of child abuse (including neglect and abandonment), whether committed by a caretaker or not, to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Report child abuse:
DCF Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873

Important Legal Requirements

• Failure to report is a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• University administrators may face up to a $1,000,000 fine for failure to report incidents.
• The law includes reporting of abuse committed by another child (juvenile sexual offender).
• Reports must be made immediately.
• Keep documentation of your report (name and ID number from DCF).
• Fax reports are recommended for confirmation and recordkeeping.

What Triggers Your Reporting Obligation?

Your duty to report is triggered if you:

• See
• Know
• Have reasonable suspicion of abuse

Reasonable suspicion is a very low standard—less than probable cause.

A child is anyone under 18 years old.

Abuse includes acts or threats that result in physical, mental, or sexual harm.

Additional Reporting Guidelines

• You must report even if someone else already has.
• If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
• If no immediate danger, report to DCF, then notify Â鶹ŮÀÉ Police if applicable.

Â鶹ŮÀÉ Police Department Contact Information

Title IX Reporting

If the abuse is sexual in nature, you must also report to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX:

Phone: 561-297-3004
FL Relay: 800-955-8771

When in Doubt — Report

Let the Department of Children & Families determine whether a report is necessary.

If you report in good faith and are incorrect, you are protected from criminal prosecution and civil liability.

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Department of Human Resources
777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tel: 561-297-3058 | Fax: 561-297-1256
Email: emprels@fau.edu
Website: www.fau.edu