Mandatory Reporting
This refers to Federal and State laws that are designed to protect children from harm. Alaska State Law (AS 47 17.020) identifies who must report suspected child abuse.
Mandated reporters include:
Practitioners of the healing arts; Social workers; Administrative officers of institutions (mental health counselors, health aides, nurses and nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, marital and family therapists, religious healing practitioners); Employees who provide counseling or treatment to individuals seeking drug or alcohol treatment; Employees of domestic violence and sexual assault programs; Crisis intervention and prevention programs; Teachers & school administrative officers; Peace officers; Child care providers, and others as noted by law.
Mandatory reporters who, in the performance of their occupational duties, have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered harm as a result of child abuse/neglect and sexual abuse are to report the harm to the nearest child protection office.
Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting of Child Witness
Children who witness abuse often display the same emotional responses as children who have been physically and emotionally abused. In a review of 475 Alaskan families involved with DFYS (Dept. of Family & Youth Services), 59% involved domestic violence. If you are aware that a child has been a witness of domestic violence, you may be mandated to report that to DFYS.
Reporting of Adult Sexual Assault
According to the Municipality of Anchorage Alaska Native women comprise approximately 3.5% of Anchorage's population, but report almost 50% of the sexual assaults. The FBI's Uniform Crime Report shows that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will eb a victim of sexual violence before the age of 18.
Individuals who present to the medical cneter following a sexual assault should be offered the choice and the opportunity to be transported to Alaska Regional for a SART exam.
SART refers to the Municipality of Anchorage Sexual Assault Response Team and is a forensic medical exam designed to gather evidence of the assault.
Indian Child Welfare Act
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 25 U S C. 1901, was passed by Congress in 1978 in response to concerns about the alarming number of Native children being removed from their families and tribes. Please click here if you would like more information on ICWA, or here if you would like more information on DFYS.
Abbreviated Community Resource List
Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) - 729-9581 / 24 hr crisis line - 272-0100
The Salvation Army Cares For Kids - 276-8511
Adult Protective Services - 269-3666
Alaska Native Justice Center - 278-1122
Alaska Women's Resource Center (AWRC) - 276-0528
Anchorage Multi-Services - 561-2805 (24 week court-approved batterer's intervention progam for men only)
For a full list please visit our Resource page by clicking here!