Anytime you suspect child abuse in scouting you are required to:
 

1. In case of a emergency or obvious battering, call any one of the following:  Child Abuse Registry @ (714) 940-1000, local police or sheriff, immediately.
2. Keep the matter confidential and report your suspicion immediately to your local Scout Executive @ (546-8687.
3. State requirements on mandated reporter:

   While everyone should report suspected child abuse and neglect, Article 2.5 of the Penal Code provides that it is a crime for certain professionals and any persons  who have a special working relationship or contact with children not to report suspected abuse to the proper authorities.  The following excerpts of sections from the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (see Appendix for full test)..."any layperson who has knowledge of or observes a child he or she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse shall report the known or suspected instance of child abuse to a child protective agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by telephone, "reasonable suspicion" means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain such a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing when appropriate on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse..."(Penal Code Section 11166).

Liability

1. No civil or criminal liability is incurred if a report is made to a Child Abuse Registry or to local police or sheriff department, in good faith, and the report is later found to be incorrect.
2. It is required by law to report child abuse, failure to do so is a misdemeanor and is punishable by jail confinement not to exceed six months or by a fine of not more than $500 or both.

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