Child Abuse Reporting Protocol

Reporting Child Abuse

If First Assembly Christian School, a ministry of First Assembly of God, Inc., of Ocala, FL, receives an allegation of child abuse, it will respond with the utmost concern to the victim, parent, or other party making such an allegation.  The accused will be treated with dignity and support.  Without clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, First Assembly Christian School, a ministry of First Assembly of God, Inc., of Ocala, FL’s personnel will assume that such complaints are made in good faith.  Persons making such complaints should have no doubt that First Assembly Christian School, a ministry of First Assembly of God, Inc., of Ocala, FL, takes them seriously and will take appropriate action.

When it becomes necessary to report suspected child abuse or neglect, the protection of children must be the most important concern.  It is the legal responsibility of any person with responsibility for the care of children to report all cases of child abuse they observe, and further, to report visible signs of alleged abuse.  Failure to report could lead to liability on the part of the ministry, the observer or both. 

It is the ministry’s policy that anyone who suspects child mistreatment is occurring or has occurred must report their suspicions to the school administrator immediately. If the administrator believes reasonable suspicion of abuse exists, the worker/staff person and the administrator will contact the legal authorities together, thus fulfilling the mandated reporting obligation of both parties. If the administrator does not believe reasonable suspicion of abuse exists and determines that the incident does not need to be reported, the worker who first raised the concern is still legally required to report the situation if he or she still believes reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect exists; reporting to the administrator does NOT absolve the worker of his or her mandatory reporting obligation. Workers and staff should not attempt to investigate the matter by reaching out to the parent(s)/guardian(s) or the accused.

Important Contact Information

National Child Abuse Hotline                                    1-800-422-4453

Florida Abuse Hotline                                               1-800-962-2873

Florida Department of Children and Families    1-866-762-2237