What age must a child be to disclose their own abuse for a mandated reporter to be required to report it?

In Pennsylvania, a child must be at least 14 years old to disclose their own abuse in order for a mandated reporter to be required to report it. This is important because the law recognizes that as children mature, their ability to understand and articulate experiences of abuse improves.

Mandated reporters, which include professionals such as teachers, healthcare providers, and social workers, are required to report suspected cases of child abuse. However, the law differentiates based on the age of the child when it comes to disclosures. Children younger than 14 may be considered less capable of fully grasping and expressing the complexities of their experiences, which is why mandates specifically focus on inputs from children of this age group or older.

By setting the age of disclosure at 14, the legislation aims to balance the protection of children with the understanding that older adolescents may have a clearer perspective on their situations. This ensures that reports of abuse can be made more effectively when the child is deemed to be mature enough to provide credible and comprehensible information regarding their experiences.