Watertown Public Schools

30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472

Reporting Abuse & Neglect

Watertown Public Schools > Human Resources


Important Definitions

Physical Abuse
MGL Ch. 119, § 51A

Injured, abused, or neglected child means a child under age 18 who is suffering physical injury resulting from abuse inflicted upon him that causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.


Abuse means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between a parent and the other parent or between a parent and the child:

  • Attempting to cause or causing bodily injury
  • Placing another in reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury

Serious incident of abuse means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between a parent and the other parent or between a parent and the child:

  • Attempting to cause or causing serious bodily injury
  • Placing another in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury
  • Causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat, or duress

Neglect
MGL Ch. 119, § 51A

Injured, abused, or neglected child means a child under age 18 who is suffering from neglect, including malnutrition, or who is determined to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth.

Sexual Abuse
MGL Ch. 119, § 51A

Injured, abused, or neglected child includes sexual abuse.

Emotional Abuse
MGL Ch. 119, § 51A

Injured, abused, or neglected child means a child under age 18 who is suffering emotional injury resulting from abuse inflicted upon him that causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.

Abandonment

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Standards for Reporting
MGL Ch. 119, § 51A

A report is required when the child is subjected to harm or substantial risk of harm.

Persons Responsible for the Child (Caretakers)
MGL Ch. 119, § 51A

Responsible persons include the parent and any other person responsible for the child's care.
 

External Links

Child Welfare Information Gateway
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 119, Section 51A
Massachusetts Department of Social Services
DSS Mandated Reporter Guides (Multi-lingual)