State law requires certain professionals to make an immediate oral report to law enforcement authorities (for example, to Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services) whenever they have reasonable cause to believe that a person under 18 years of age or a developmentally disabled adult has suffered abuse or neglect (Chapter 26.44, Revised Code of Washington). Persons required to report include those who, in the regular course of their employment, are involved in teaching, counseling, or administration. Reasonable suspicion of abuse will be reported immediately to the employee's supervisor and one of the complaint reviewers defined in Section 9.7.2. The report to the appropriate law enforcement agency will be made by telephone within 48 hours after the individual has formed a reasonable suspicion of abuse.

For purposes of this mandatory report, "abuse or neglect" means injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation (e.g. allowing prostitution or obscene filming of a child), or serious disregard that endangers the victim's health, welfare and safety. If the abuse apparently has occurred--even years ago, so that the victim is no longer in danger of future abuse--reasonable suspicion must still be reported to the authorities. Reporting forms are available in the Counseling Center, the Office of Student Life, and the Office of Human Resources. Procedures for investigation and response to the report are detailed in Section 9.7.

The law immunizes employees from legal liability for making such a report in good faith.