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| Child Abuse |
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| Reporting |
| The law requires certain processionals to report suspicion and/or knowledge of child abuse, which includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and cases of severe emotional abuse that constitute willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment of a child. But, community members also have an important role in protecting children from abuse and neglect. The life of a child may be saved if community members become involved and report cases of suspected child abuse. |
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| Your Involvement |
| Involvement does not mean physical intervention or snooping on your neighbor. It simply means not ignoring the obvious Fear of involvement has resulted in family tragedies in which neighbors reported they knew what was going on, but declined to get involved. |
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| If a member of the community, who is riot required by law to report, does not want to identify himself or herself, the report may be made anonymously. |
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| After Your Report |
| Many people are under the misconception that if a family is reported for child abuse the parent will always be arrested and the child will be taken away from the family. Although this may occur in serious abuse cases, the family is usually referred to services such as counseling or parenting classes. In neglect cases, the family may be referred 10 public assistance agencies. However, the goal of child protective agencies is to try to keep the family unit intact unless the child is in danger. The goal of all of us is to protect our children and help them grow up healthy and happy. |
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| To report suspected child abuse, contact the Family Violence Center at (408) 277-3700. |
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| Related Links |
Child Abuse
Indicators of Child Abuse
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| Go back |
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| Copyright Long Beach Police Department Community Safety Pamphlet. |
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