Everyone wants to keep children safe from harm. And in its efforts to protect children from harm, Oklahoma’s child abuse laws prohibit the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of children. These child abuse statutes can also require certain third parties and professionals with access to children, like school employees and physicians, to report knowledge or even suspicion of child abuse to the authorities. Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services has statewide resources in place to protect the welfare of children.
Child Abuse Statutes
State child abuse laws may differ, depending on where you live. The following table lists the specifics of Oklahoma’s child abuse statutes.
| Code Section | Oklahoma Statutes Title 10 §§7102, et seq.: Child Abuse and Neglect |
| What Constitutes Abuse | Harm or threatened harm to child's health, safety, or welfare including but not limited to non-accidental physical or mental injury sexual abuse/exploitation or negligent treatment (including lack of provision of necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, etc.) or abandonment |
| Mandatory Reporting Required By | Physician, dentist, nurse, teacher, other person who has reason to believe abuse |
| Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect | Having reason to believe that child is a victim of abuse or neglect |
| To Whom Reported | Department of Human Services |
| Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting | Failure to report is a misdemeanor. Any false reporting is reported by Department of Human Services to local law enforcement for criminal investigation and upon conviction, is guilty of misdemeanor and may be fined up to $5,000 plus reasonable attorney's fees incurred in recovering the sanctions |
While we all want to keep children safe, many of us may not realize just how widespread child abuse is in the United States. There are upwards of 3 million reports of child abuse each year, involving almost 6 million children. And between four and five children are killed by child abuse or neglect every day. There are state child abuse resources available if you suspect a child is begin abused or neglected. FindLaw also has additional information in its Where to Get Help for Child Abuse section.
Oklahoma Child Abuse Laws Related Resources:
Child abuse and neglect can have terrible physical and emotional effects. If you suspect a child is being abused, you should report child abuse casesto the authorities as soon as possible. If you would like legal advice regarding a possible or existing child abuse matter, you can contact an Oklahoma criminal defense attorney. You can also find more information and resources in FindLaw’s section on Child Abuse.
