As the new school year starts, the San Diego County District Attorney, Summer Stephan, reminds parents, teachers, and students alike that creating a safe learning environment for our children should be a top priority. In this effort, an online reporting system has been established to allow concerned individuals to report suspected cases of sexual or physical abuse in schools directly to the District Attorney's Office, according to a recent statement.
The DA's Student Safety in Schools Systems Task Force was created in 2019 to bridge the gaps that existed between different agencies addressing abuse, ensuring that complaints won't fall through the bureaucratic cracks. Once individuals submit their concerns through the online reporting system, the task force will evaluate and investigate each case, and if needed, law enforcement will be notified to take the appropriate actions, alongside connecting families to trauma-informed support resources.
Recognizing that these types of abuses occur in our schools and taking the necessary steps to address them are key parts of the DA's mission. Their vision is to create an environment where "every student in San Diego County deserves to have a safe and healthy educational environment, free of sexual and physical abuse." The Task Force encourages submissions from any individual who has concerns about the safety of students in a school system.
It is important to note that this Task Force does not replace the duty of mandated reporters to follow their legal obligations in reporting abuse under the Penal Code. However, through its collaboration with schools across San Diego County, the DA's Office is also keen on ensuring mandated reporters are aware of their responsibilities.
DA Summer Stephan emphasizes that "mandated reporters must make a report when there is any reasonable suspicion of abuse, based on facts." It is of particular importance to identify "grooming behaviors" that may accompany or precede actual sexual abuse.
