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While verbal abuse is not a crime in and of itself, it can easily turn into one if it includes threats of bodily harm. If the verbal abuse is criminal, you must immediately report it to the authorities and inform them if you are concerned about your safety.

The first is that it is a Class 4 felony to knowingly file a false report with any state agency, which includes DCFS. The second is that in Illinois, parental responsibilities are awarded based on the “best interests of the child” standard, which means that moral character is often a question at issue.

If an oral report was made to ChildLine, a report of suspected child abuse (CY 47) must also be completed and forwarded to the county children and youth agency within 48 hours after making the report. This form can be obtained at .

The mandatory reporting obligation now also includes when you accept responsibility for a child, even as a volunteer, as an integral part of a regularly scheduled program, activity, or service and have reasonable cause to suspect, through your contact with a child in that program, activity, or service, that the child ...

In addition, many of the domestic violence laws make reporting emotional abuse mandatory in some cases. If an individual is in a situation where they are being emotionally abused or if an individual knows of a person who is suffering from emotional abuse, they should investigate resources for domestic violence.

(2) A mandated reporter making an oral report under paragraph (1) of suspected child abuse shall also make a written report, which may be submitted electronically, within 48 hours to the department or county agency assigned to the case in a manner and format prescribed by the department.

Individuals are required to immediately notify the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) whenever they have reasonable cause to believe a child under eighteen years of age may be a victim of abuse.

(a) A mandated reporter who, in his professional capacity, has reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from: (i) abuse inflicted upon him which causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare, including sexual abuse; (ii) neglect, including ...

Mandated reporters like teachers, nurses, or police officers are required by law to complete a written report with 48 hours of calling to report child abuse or neglect. The written report does not replace the requirement to call first.

Finally, emotional abuse is most often reported along with concerns of other types of abuse; any child who is being physically abused, sexually abused, or neglected is also being emotionally abused. Reporting laws require a report be made when a mandated reporter has a “reasonable suspicion” of abuse.

Mandated reporters are certain adults, who are legally required to report suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse. The law requires that the mandated reporter identify themselves and where they can be reached.

Mandated reporters like teachers, nurses, or police officers are required by law to complete a written report with 48 hours of calling to report child abuse or neglect. The written report does not replace the requirement to call first.

Finding help for emotional abuse is essential because it can have such serious long-term effects on a person's mental and physical health.

Must report suspected abuse or neglect immediately. All reports by mandatory reporters must be confirmed in writing to the appropriate Child Protective Services Unit within 48 hours of any initial report.

Illinois law protects the identity of all mandated reporters and gives them immunity from liability as a result of good faith reports. However, any mandated reporter who fails to report an instance of child abuse or neglect commits a crime and may be prosecuted.