Are parents legally responsible to report molestation?
964582
Yes thats a crime as far as I know.
1131584
The public is not the baby sitter for children its your job not mine. If we see something wrong we report. That's the best we can do. Believe me I have seen lots claims of abuse reports go in, but there is a limit how much can be done. If you have a minor and can't trust suggest you look at yourself have you or are you doing your job.
49872
I don't think you are being completely fair. Not all adults molest their children. The sad thing is that a lot of them do. I think it is a mixture of pleasure and power. But with that power, comes pleasure. If you are being molested, please get help. You can tell a teacher, friend, or another adult you know you can trust. Sometimes it is hard to admit what is going on, but it has to happen. The person who is molesting the child is sick and needs to get help. If it is a friend of your's that is being molested, still tell someone. They may hate you for telling someone, but they will be happy you did later. I promise you that.
389255
It depends on the state.  Some states will require you to report it, but only if the victim is a child.  Other states will require you to only report it if you can identify the perpetrator by name (so CPS knows where to go).  I worked at an internship in MD last year.  The agency's (and state's) policy was to report all sexual abuse.  Regardless of the victim's age now and how long ago it happened.  I think the reasoning is that many sex offenders are repeat offenders- so even though you are over 18, it is possible the perpetrator is also abusing someone else.  For some reason, even if the perpetrator was dead, you still had to report it.  \nFor this reason, I always start out every session with the limits of confidentiality as it applies to the state law.  (so basically, I had to imply to people at my last internship- if you don't want sex abuse to be reported, don't tell me.)  But that way, there are no surprises when abuse has to be reported or when confidentiality has to be breached.
288756
Call CPS and expose your case!\n\nIMMEDIATELY!!
1093986
Well crimes in child pornography are taken very seriously. I was doing research for my job and came across an actual manual for officers dealing witht the release of sex offenders. For his crime I don't think that you are obligated to tell the neighborhood. The manual's pretty long but if you just skim thru it you'll see the hierarchy listing.
1116183
Everyone has their own way.\n\nI was molested at age 5 by my sister and brothers father and I told my mother in a heated argument one day.\n\nYou will tell when you are ready and able.  There is no definite way to tell anyone, cause it is a devastating event that took place.\n\nI wish you all the luck and I hope you tell someone so this person doesnt have a chance to do this to anyone else.
553693
NO! This information should not be made available! It is unconstitutional and in the majority of cases it is ex post facto and due process of law is not followed. \n\nFurthermore, rehabilitated former sex offenders have a 5.3% recidivism for re arrest and 3.5% recidivism for re conviction. Out of that 3.5%, 1.2% are recidivists who offend a child. The registries are nothing but feel good, knee jerk legislation. They have not and will not save one child. Your child has a larger chance of being harmed by a drug dealer/user, drunk driver, playground accident, drowning and parental neglect than they have of being harmed by a rehabilitated former sex offender. \n\n90 to 95% of sex offenses are committed by someone known to the child in their family or the families circle of friends, as well as, coaches, teachers, police and other people in positions of authority. \n\nStranger danger is not prevalent. You are the only one that can protect your child. Parental Supervision while the children are out playing or while they are on the internet is paramount to their safety.
20847
if you are serious, report this to the police immediately.  this is borderline molestation/incest.
499474
I think it all depends on the situation... How they heard about it, how reliable the information was, how recent the information was... the response is going to be dulled if they hear about something which might have happend 2 years ago compared to walking in on someone molesting their child.  There is bound to be disbelief, especially if it was a close friend or relative and there is no physical evidence.  The response is also going to be highly dependant on the personality of both of the parents.  There is probably no 'normal' response which you are looking for.  \n\nI've thought about it some more, it would seem that it was a relative who did the inappropriate act(s)?  Yes I think this would be a very typical response assuming they never witnessed any act.  Wanting to ignore the situation and not deal with it is also very typical of American society.  I have more ideas, but I don't wish to discuess them because it would suggest and assume a lot.
563012
I believe that parents should be held responsible to a certain extent, but, you can preach and preach to your kids about what's right and wrong and they still may not listen. I firmly believe that you CANNOT hide everything from your kids. Society has a very big part in shaping idea's into a child's mind. The child should be held criminally responsible to the extent of the law, unless the parent forced or helped the child do the act, then both should be held responsible.
1080330
Being molested as a child by friend's father and then by a family member
733791
That depends on what it is you want to do.  It is pretty well agreed that child molesting is not a good thing and that you would be harshly judged for doing so.  Etc.  Murder, theft, and so on. There  has to be certain agreed upon standards of conduct in order for any society to survive.
293845
Generally speaking, of course they can.  What if the minor was being abused by a parent?
888783
This is a tricky question and does vary slightly in some states...\n\nBut law enforcement can always question children without consent if their are suspicions that a parent is abusing or neglecting the child, or failing to protect the child from abuse or neglect.\n\nLaw enforcement can also question a child while the child is in school if the school gives permission. When your child is in school you are temporarily giving custody of your child to the school. You do not need to be notified for them to question your child.\n\nNow, if your child is suspected of having committed a crime then this varies by state. If there is some immediate threat to others welfare (such as suspicion that your child is making a bomb or plans to have a shooting at the school) then they do not need your permission. But, if it is something more minor like suspicion of drug possession, then they usually do need your permission.\n\nThe best answer you can get will come from a lawyer in your state.\n\nEdit: I just saw what you added. This is all perfectly legal. Like I said, when your child is in school the school claims temporary custody of your child. Which means that they are legally responsible for his care, but also that they can consent to his questioning without so much as contacting you.
426682
its the parents fault
575808
Check out, for example "day care hysteria" cases in 1980's[1] when a lot of day care center owners were wrongfully accused and convicted of molesting children.\n\nFor example take a look at the Kern County case where McCuans and Kniffens convictions were overturned only after 12 years.[2]