Are they legally obligated?

[Gary-L]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota.

If a social worker in one county is made aware of possible sexual abuse of a minor in another county, is that social worker legally obligated to act upon that information? Are they required by law to report those allegations to the county in which they occurred?

If a police officer is made aware of the same situation, is he/she legally obligated to make this information known to their superiors?

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota.

If a social worker in one county is made aware of possible sexual abuse of a minor in another county, is that social worker legally obligated to act upon that information? Are they required by law to report those allegations to the county in which they occurred?

If a police officer is made aware of the same situation, is he/she legally obligated to make this information known to their superiors?

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota.

From http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/ViolenceAbuse/ChildProtection/MandatedReporterInfo.htm

When a mandated reporter knows or has reason to believe that a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused by a person responsible for the child's care, or has been so within the previous three years, a report must be made.

So it boils down to whether the reporter knows or has reason to believe that the abuse exists.

Actual knowledge is pretty difficult to obtain without personally witnessing the abuse. "Reason to believe" is somewhat vague, and probably means what that fictitious "reasonable person" would believe.

A bald allegation does not necessarily furnish reason to believe abuse has occurred.