{"id":376811,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:03","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/vermont-law\/vermont-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-19T15:31:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:31:46","slug":"vermont-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/vermont-law\/vermont-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Vermont Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Vermont Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Child abuse in Vermont is broadly defined to include any act or neglect that risks or causes harm to a child’s physical or emotional well-being. The state requires certain professionals, such as doctors and teachers, to report any suspected abuse. The state ensures the protection of reporters acting in good faith from legal repercussions but imposes penalties for failure to report. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Every state has laws that prohibit the abuse and neglect of a child. The state takes reports of child abuse<\/a> seriously, and lawmakers have implemented severe penalties for this behavior.<\/p>\r\n

One major hurdle to stopping child abuse is the difficulty of uncovering it. Toward that end, Vermont law<\/a>, like the law in most states, requires certain people to report suspected child abuse.<\/p>\r\n

If the state believes that a child is at risk of serious physical injury, it may remove the child from their home and initiate an investigation. This may mean the child lives in a foster home<\/a> while the investigation takes place. Or the human services personnel may allow a relative to care for the child until the investigation is complete.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will explain how the child abuse reporting laws<\/a> work in Vermont. We will also discuss the people who are required to report suspected child abuse and neglect under the mandatory reporting laws.<\/p>\r\n

Mandatory Reporters in Vermont<\/h2>\r\n

Vermont law requires doctors, teachers, health care professionals, school officials, daycare workers, camp counselors, and law enforcement officers to report suspected cases of child abuse<\/a>. This includes suspected physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.<\/p>\r\n

State law also requires members of the clergy to report suspected cases of abuse. Normally, the law provides an exception<\/a> for information the clergy gains through religious practices (i.e. confession). However, members of the clergy and suspected abusers cannot claim this privilege to prevent disclosure of child abuse.<\/p>\r\n

What if You Aren\u2019t Sure Child Abuse is Occurring?<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Vermont provides limited protection to people reporting abuse. Good faith reporters are immune from civil liability<\/a> or criminal liability that might arise from reporting suspected abuse to the authorities.<\/p>\r\n

Failure to report, on the other hand, can result in fines and even jail time.<\/p>\r\n

Reports of abuse<\/a> are mostly anonymous, but that anonymity may disappear should the case go to trial.<\/p>\r\n

Child Abuse Laws in Vermont<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The table below outlines the important aspects of child abuse laws in Vermont.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Vermont Statutes Annotated (V.S.A.) Tit. 33, \u00a7 4913, et. seq.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

What constitutes abuse?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Abuse includes any behavior that harms a child or puts a child at risk of harm. This includes injury to the child\u2019s physical health, emotional health, or overall well-being. This includes acts (abuse) and omissions (neglect<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Maltreatment also includes sexual abuse<\/a>, sexual assault, lascivious conduct, abandonment, and emotional mistreatment. Essentially, any behavior that threatens a child\u2019s welfare may constitute abuse and\/or neglect.<\/p>\r\n

Abuse can occur in the child\u2019s home, school, relative\u2019s home, or other premises.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Mandatory reporters<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Vermont law requires certain people to report suspected child abuse, child neglect, and child endangerment. These people are called \u201cmandatory reporters<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

The following individuals qualify as mandated reporters in the State of Vermont:<\/p>\r\n

Basis for reporting abuse or neglect<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Anybody who has reasonable cause to believe someone is abusing or neglecting a child should report the behavior. This is true whether the suspected abuser is the child\u2019s parent, foster parent<\/a>, or any other legal guardian.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Where to submit a report<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Vermont Department for Children and Families<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalty for failing to report or making a false report<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Generally, failure to report abuse results in a fine of up to $500. However, failing to report with the intent to conceal abuse or neglect is punishable<\/a> by up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Contact an Experienced Vermont Criminal Defense Attorney for Help<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you\u2019re facing child abuse charges, you should consult an experienced Vermont criminal defense attorney<\/a>. Not only will you face criminal penalties, but a charge of abuse or neglect will impact your personal and professional lives.<\/p>\r\n

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