Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

You are required to report if you have reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or if you have observed a child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

Source: Colorado Revised Statutes Title 19. Children's Code
§ 19-3-304  Persons required to report child abuse or neglect

BVSD Reporting Form
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Guidance

Report Immediately

All Boulder Valley School District employees are mandatory reporters.

They should immediately report any situation where they have reasonable cause to know or suspect a child (someone under the age of 18) has been subjected to abuse or neglect or they have observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

Waiting to make a report, even it is for one hour or the next day is considered a failure to report and has led to criminal investigation and prosecution of educators in Colorado.

If you have reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or have observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, immediately report it to:

• Law enforcement
• Child protective services
• Colorado's Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
   

What to expect

When you call, you will likely be asked several questions, including:

• Child's name
• Age
• Address
• Gender
• School attended
• Names of parents
• Information about siblings
   

Step 1: Complete BVSD's Child Abuse/Child Protection Report Form

Boulder Valley School District's Child Abuse/Child Protection Report Form includes much of the information the agency will need to follow up on the report.

Step 2: Make the report

Contact law enforcement, child protective services or the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline.

• Law enforcement
  • 911​ if an emergency
  • Boulder Police Department 3​03-441-3333
  • Boulder County Sheriff's Office​ 303-441-4444
  • City & County of Broomfield Police Department​ 303-438-6400
  • Lafayette Police Department 303-665-5571
  • Louisville Police Department 3​03-666-8634
  • Nederland Police Department​ 303-258-3250
  • Gilpin County Sheriff​ 303-582-1060
  • Erie Police Department 3​03-926-2800
     
• Child protective services
  • Boulder County Dept. of Housing & Human Services​ 303-441-1000
  • City & County of Broomfield​ ​Child Protection Services ​720-887-2271
  • Gilpin County Dept. of Human Services 3​03-582-5444
     
• Colorado's Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1​-844-264-5437
   

Step 3: Notify your administrator

Provide the completed report form to your supervisor or building administrator.

Do not delay reporting and know: No one has the right to prevent you from fulfilling your mandatory reporter obligation.

Also, please know simply reporting to a supervisor, site administrator, school principal, school counselor or other person of authority does not substitute for making a mandated report.

Physical Abuse: Defined

Any non-accidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) caused by punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand or other object), burning, etc.

Physical Abuse: What to look for

• Unexplained Injuries (burns, bites, bruises, broken bones)
• Past Injuries (fading bruises)
• Fear (reluctance to go home)
• Reports (child reports they were hurt by an adult)
• Animal abuse by child
   

Sexual Abuse: Defined

Fondling A child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or production of pornographic materials.

Sexual Abuse: What to look for

• Nightmares
• Sudden change in appetite
• Pregnancy
• Venereal disease
• Won’t change clothes for gym
• Bedwetting
• Runs away
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Attaches quickly to new adults
• Unusual or sophisticated sexual knowledge or behavior

Emotional Abuse: Defined

Emotional abuse is defined as an identifiable and substantial impairment in a child's intellectual or psychological functioning or development or substantial risk of impairment of a child's intellectual or psychological functioning development. 

Emotional abuse includes, but is not limited to constant criticism, threats, rejection and withholding of love, support or guidance.
 

Emotional Abuse: What to look for

• Acting older or younger than age
• Overly compliant or passive
• Aggressive or demanding
• Delayed physical or emotional development
• Suicide attempts
• Lack of attachment to parents

Neglect: Defined

Neglect is a case in which a child is in need of services because a child's parents, legal guardian or custodian fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision that a prudent parent would give.

Grooming: Defined

According to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or trafficking. Children and young people can be groomed online or face-to-face, by a stranger or by someone they know - for example a family member, friend or professional.

Grooming: What to look for

• Spending time aline behind closed doors with students
• Discussion of personal life/matters with students
• Making sexually suggestive comments/jokes with students
• Exchanging cellphone numbers with students
• Friending students on social media accounts
• Giving gifts to students
• Excessively complementing or flattering students
• Inappropriate physical contact, such as tickling, back rubs, piggy back rides
• Taking a student on outings.