March 09, 2006, 11:58
ALantyReporting outcry of sexual abuse
A probation officer had a probationer outcry to sexual abuse that occurred 15 to 20 years ago. The statute of limitations has expired in this instance. The offender was and still is a paster. The probationer does not want to go public at this time but maybe later.
Q: Is the probation officer obligated to report the allegation of sexual abuse to law enforcement? The statute of limitations has expired so there is not a criminal case. But since the offender still holds the same job maybe after a fishing expedition there are other victims. Any advice?
Thanks.
March 12, 2006, 18:37
BLeonardIf the PO has a duty, then so does anyone else who is aware of the outcry. I can't think of a set of facts I where I would prosecute a case like this one but I don't read a lot of discretion in the statute. What if the perp is now woking as a __________ or volunteering as a _____________.?
March 13, 2006, 20:16
JohnRWe should use that statute as a motivator, not a punishment. Tell whomever, "Look, the law says you have to do this, so just do it."
March 14, 2006, 14:34
ALantyThanks for your responses. I believe it has been passed on to law enforcement.