Abuse and neglect can take many forms and each of the types have its own set of signs and symptoms associated with it. Below is a breakdown of the different types of abuse that can happen to children, dependent adults & elders.

Financial Abuse – includes the misuse, mishandling or exploitation of property, possessions or assets of adults. Also includes using another’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through coercion and/or manipulation.

Neglect – failure of a caregiver/guardian/parent to provide the necessities of life to another person for whom they are caring.

Self-Neglect – a behavioral condition in which an individual neglects to attend to their basic needs, such as personal hygiene, appropriate clothing, feeding or tending appropriately to any medical conditions they have.

Isolation – restricting visits from family and friends or preventing contact via telephone or mail correspondence.

Emotional Abuse – involves creating emotional pain, distress or anguish through the use of threats, intimidation or humiliation. This includes insults, yelling or threats of harm and/or isolation, or non-verbal actions such as throwing objects or glaring to project fear and/or intimidation.

Abandonment – involves desertion by anyone who assumed caregiving responsibilities for an individual.

Abduction – the act or instance of forcibly taking someone away against their will.

Physical Abuse – an intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person by way of bodily contact.

Sexual Abuse – forcing undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another.

As a mandated reporter in San Luis Obispo County, if you suspect child abuse or neglect, YOU MUST:

1. Immediately call Child Welfare Services (CWS) 24-Hour Hotline
   • 805-781-KIDS (5437) or 1-800-834-KIDS
2. Complete and file a Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) form # SS8572, located at CA Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) Form 8572. The Social Worker you speak with when calling the CWS hotline will inform you where to fax/email the SCAR form.
3. Retain a legible copy of the SCAR Report
4. YOU are responsible for making this report. DO NOT ALLOW your supervisor/principal to make the report for you or assume because another co-worker has some of the same information that they will make the report.
5. Do not attempt to investigate, conduct interviews or interfere with the information you hold.
6. Remember that you are to report SUSPECTED abuse – you are not required to have witnessed or have complete proof of the incident. You are obligated by law to report what you observe or what you are told that caused suspicion the child is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected. When in doubt, call CWS and get their input about the scope of your report.

As a mandated reporter in San Luis Obispo County, if you suspect dependent adult/elder abuse or neglect, YOU MUST:

1. Call hotline as soon as abuse is suspected or known, within 24 hours
   • Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
     •  (800) 834-3002 or (805) 781-1790
   • After Business Hours
     • (844) 729-8011
   • Online Report of Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse & Neglect
2. Fax SOC 341 (Eng/Sp) – Report of Suspected Dependent Adult & Elder Abuse
   • (805) 788-2034
3. After you make a report, APS will:
   • Cross report to law enforcement, if applicable
   • Ask a series of questions to determine if an emergency response is required. If necessary, an Emergency Response Social Worker will be dispatched to make a home visit to investigate the report.
   • Make an assessment of victim’s strengths, weaknesses & protective needs
   • Link victims to community services

Unlike abuse/neglect reports made involving children, victims of dependent adult/elder abuse may refuse services or withdraw consent for services at any time. APS will act only with consent for services unless a violation of a penal code is believed to have occurred.

Though everyone should report suspected abuse, a number of professionals must report abuse or be held liable by law. The specific positions are listed in California Penal Code section 11165.7. Professions include but are not limited to:

• A teacher
• An instructional aide
• A teacher’s aide or assistant at public or private school
• An employee of public school
• An administrative officer or supervisor of child welfare and attendance of any school
• An administrator, supervisor or any licensed staff of a public or private elder care facility
• Any elder or dependent adult care custodian
• An employee of a county adult protective services agency
• An administrator of day camp, public or private
• An administrator or employee of a public or private youth center, youth recreation program, or youth organization
• An administrator or employee of any organization whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children
• Any employee of the state or county education system whose duties bring them into contact with children on a regular basis
• A licensee, administrator, or employee of a licensed community care or child day care facility
• A Head Start program teacher
• A licensing worker or licensing evaluator
• A public assistance worker
• An employee of a child care institution including foster parents, group home personnel, and personnel of residential care facilities
• A social worker, probation officer, or parole officer
• An employee of a school district police or security department
• Any person who works in a child abuse prevention program in any school
• Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for the care or custody of an elder or dependent adult, whether they receive compensation or not
• Officers and employees of financial institutions
• A district attorney investigator, inspector, or local child support agency caseworker
• A peace officer
• A firefighter (except volunteers)
• A physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, dentist, resident, intern, podiatrist, chiropractor, licensed nurse, dental hygienist, optometrist, marriage, family and child counselor, clinical social worker
• Any EMT, paramedic, or other certified person
• A psychological assistant
• A marriage, family, and child therapist trainee
• An unlicensed marriage, family, and child therapist intern
• A state or county public health employee
• A coroner
• A medical examiner or anyone who performs autopsies
• A commercial film and photo processor
• A child visitation monitor
• An animal control officer or humane society officer
• A clergy member or religious practitioner
• A custodian of records of a clergy member
• Any employee of any police department, county sheriff’s department, county probation department, or county welfare department
• An employee or volunteer of a Court Appointed Special Advocate program
• An alcohol or drug counselor

The standard for reporting suspected abuse and neglect is “reasonable cause to believe” which means that mandated reporters need only a “mere suspicion” that abuse or neglect was committed. Mandated reporters are immune from civil or criminal liability as a result of filing a report of abuse.

A person who fails to make a required report is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine (California Penal Code Section 11166[c]).