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Prevent Child Abuse WI

Mandated Reporters

Mandated Reporter on-line video training is available through the Wisconsin Child Wefare Training System. 

Persons in some professions are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect as well as those situations in which they have reason to believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect or that abuse or neglect will occur. These people are called mandated reporters, and each state must list who falls into this category.  Persons required to report and who intentionally fail to report may be fined and/or imprisoned. Some of those persons are listed here (according to Wisconsin statutes).

  • Physicians
  • Coroner
  • Medical examiners
  • Nurses
  • Dentists
  • Chiropractors
  • Acupuncturist
  • Optometrists
  • All medical and mental health professionals
  • Day care providers
  • Alcohol and drug abuse counselors
  • Marriage and family therapists
  • Treatment staff employed by or working under contract with a community board
  • Professional counselors
  • Physical therapists
  • Speech therapists
  • Audiologists
  • Dieticians
  • Paramedics
  • Emergency medical technicians
  • Social or public assistance workers
  • School administrators, teachers, counselors
  • Child care workers in any day care center or child caring institution
  • Police and law enforcement officers
  • Mediators under section 767.11
  • Clergy (sexual abuse only)

Again, these are people who are mandated by law to report . . . This does not cover any moral mandate that we all have to protect children. ANY person may report if there is reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected or has been threatened with abuse or neglect. If you suspect that child abuse or neglect is occurring to a child, contact your local child protective services agency, human services agency, or police department.


Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin | 211 S. Paterson St., Suite 250 | Madison, WI 53703
phone 608-256-3374 | fax 608-256-3378 | 1-800-CHILDREN
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