Q: Am I legally obligated to report a past molestation incident in Kansas?
I am a pastor in Kansas, and a married woman in her late twenties recently reported to me that her grandfather, now in his late 80s or early 90s, molested her approximately 15 years ago when she was around 13 or 14 years old. She does not wish to press charges due to his advanced age and poor health. There have been no previous reports of this incident, and no children are currently at risk from him. We plan to confront him and have informed family members to ensure he is not left alone with children or young people. Am I legally obligated to report this incident to the police under Kansas's mandatory reporting laws?
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A:
In Kansas, as a pastor, you are legally obligated to report incidents of child abuse or molestation to authorities under the state's mandatory reporting laws. Even though the incident occurred many years ago and the woman involved is now an adult, the law still requires you to report it because the abuse was committed when she was a minor. The age of the perpetrator does not exempt you from this requirement, especially since the law is designed to protect potential future victims and ensure that the abuse is properly investigated.
While the woman has expressed that she does not wish to press charges, your responsibility as a mandatory reporter remains. Kansas law emphasizes the importance of reporting suspected abuse to protect children and prevent further harm. Even if no children are currently at risk, reporting the incident allows authorities to investigate and take appropriate action.
It is important that you comply with the law and make a report to the appropriate authorities, such as the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) or local law enforcement. If you are unsure how to proceed, consider reaching out to a legal professional or a counselor who can help guide you through the process.
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