@Joseph
Actually a school employee (private or public) whop does not report the abuse is breaking the law in NJ. NJDCF says that any person who does not report suspected abuse (bullying is abuse) is a ‘disorderly person.’
NJ Statute on Child Abuse:
“9:6-8.9. ABUSED CHILD; CHILD ABUSE DEFINED
For purposes of this act:
“Abused child” means a child under the age of 18 years whose parent, guardian, or other person having his custody and control:
a. Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury by other than accidental means which causes or creates a substantial risk of death, or serious or protracted disfigurement, or protracted impairment of physical or emotional health or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ;…”
School teachers have been deemed to have custody and control during the school year…they act in locus parentis.
BTW>>>>NY Statute does NOT exempt private school teachers from reporting abuse:
“new York
Professionals Required to Report
Soc. Serv. Law § 413
The following persons and officials are required to report:
• Physicians, physician assistants, surgeons, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, dental hygienists, osteopaths, optometrists,
chiropractors, podiatrists, residents, interns, psychologists, registered nurses, social workers, or emergency medical
technicians
• Licensed creative arts therapists, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, or psychoanalysts
• Hospital personnel or Christian Science practitioners
• School officials, including but not limited to, teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school nurses, or administrators….”
The NY Statute does NOT read Public School ‘officials…teachers’, etc.