What is a permissive reporter?
Permissive reporters are people who are not required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect yet make a report anyway out of concern for the safety of a vulnerable person or animal.
Permissive Reporter vs Mandated Reporter
Mandated reporters are designated by law as responsible for reporting suspected abuse or neglect. Often, mandated reporters are designated by profession.
Mandated reporters of child abuse are generally the professionals who regularly come into contact with children. Teachers, medical professionals, daycare providers, and even volunteers may be mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect.
Mandated reporters of elder and dependent adult abuse are generally professionals who regularly come into contact with or are responsible for the care of aging or dependent adults. This often includes medical professionals, financial professionals, clergy members, and workers in adult care facilities.
Mandated reporters of domestic violence or intimate partner violence are generally professionals who come into contact with adults who’ve been injured, such as medical professionals.
Mandated reporters of animal cruelty are generally the professionals who come into contact with animals regularly, such as veterinarians or animal welfare professionals.
To be a mandated reporter means you have a responsibility under your state law to make a report when you suspect abuse or neglect. Failing to report can bring penalties, such as jail time, fines, or both.
Permissive reporters, on the other hand, are concerned citizens with no legal obligation to make a report when they suspect abuse or neglect. Instead of being “mandated” to make a report, they are permitted to do so.
Did you know? In at least 18 states, anyone who suspects child abuse must report it, regardless of profession.
What is an Example of a Permissive Reporter?
Camila works as an administrator in a California hospital’s training department. She is not a healthcare professional, and unlike the nurses and doctors in the hospital, she is not a legally mandated reporter.
However, because of her role in the training department, she is familiar with the hospital’s mandated reporter training program. She knows the signs of child abuse and neglect as well as the steps to making a report.
Camila is visiting her grandchildren one weekend when she notices that her granddaughter’s friend is trying to hide signs of physical abuse. Camila suspects that the girl is being physically abused and needs some support. She follows the protocol for making a report in California by contacting local law enforcement by phone that evening and following up with a written report the next day.
This is an example of a permissive reporter. She does not have a legal responsibility to make a report, yet she understands that she can make a report when recognizing signs of potential abuse.
Can Permissive Reporters Be Anonymous?
While each state has individual reporting laws, anonymous reporting may be one factor differentiating a permissive reporter from a mandated reporter.
Let’s look at the way California treats anonymous reporting:
- In CA, mandated reporters must provide their names when making a report.
- Permissive reporters in CA may make a completely anonymous report.
Whether you are required to provide your name as a mandated reporter or have the option to make an anonymous report, most states award you the right to confidentiality. Your information may be provided to law enforcement, welfare agencies, or other investigating agencies while they look into the report’s facts. But your name won’t be announced to any alleged victim or perpetrator of a crime.
Reporting confidentiality helps mandated and permissive reporters protect the vulnerable without fear of reprisal or retribution.
How Can a Permissive Reporter Make a Report?
Permissive reporters may not have the same reporting training, education, or awareness as a mandated reporter. But that doesn’t mean a permissive reporter can’t make a report.
While each state has laws and protocols for reporting, contacting local law enforcement or welfare agencies is generally the best way for a permissive reporter to report suspected abuse or neglect.
Mandated and permissive reporters can find more information about how and where to make a report by accessing our state-by-state database at mandatedreporter.com.
