Reporting Child Abuse - Minnesota

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Minnesota

Under Minnesota law, certain persons (including health care professionals, social workers, child care providers, mental health professionals, teachers and school officials, law enforcement officers, clergy, and others) who know of or suspect physical or sexual abuse or neglect of a child are required to report such information to the local welfare agency, police department, or to the county sheriff immediately (within twenty-four hours).  Any other person may voluntarily report known or suspected child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse to the local welfare agency, police department, or the county sheriff.

            The statute defines child abuse to include physical, mental and sexual abuse, and neglect. 

            To access the entire child abuse reporting chapter, including the information summarized above and any relevant definitions, follow:

                                    https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=626.556

            For more information on Minnesota’s reporting statue and tips to spot abuse, see Minnesota’s Department of Human Services website at :

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=id_000152

            To report child abuse in Minnesota, call the local social service office or the local police.  Below is a link to the contact information for all social services offices by county:

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=dhs16_160181