Which professionals are considered mandated reporters?

Mandated reporters are individuals who are legally required to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect because they are in positions that give them frequent contact with children. Individuals in professions such as healthcare providers and teachers are included in this category because they are typically trained to recognize the signs of abuse and have a duty to protect the welfare of children.

Healthcare providers may include doctors, nurses, and therapists, all of whom are often in situations where they might witness physical or emotional signs of abuse. Teachers also interact with children regularly and are in a position to notice changes in a child's behavior or appearance that may indicate abuse.

The reason this response is appropriate is that the roles of healthcare providers and educators inherently involve an understanding of child development and welfare, and they have a legal obligation to act when they suspect abuse may be occurring. Other individuals, such as volunteer coaches or family friends, do not have the same legal obligations in most jurisdictions and may not be trained to identify signs of abuse, thus placing them outside the scope of mandated reporters.