Child Abuse and Neglect Including Sexual Assult

Nebraska statutes require any person to report child abuse and neglect, including sexual assault, to law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services. Law enforcement is required to notify DHHS on incidents reported to them. University employees and students are encouraged to notify the UNL Police Department at 402-472-2222 immediately when these situations are suspected.

This means: 1) that if you suspect child abuse or neglect, you must report it, 2) you should give as much information about the circumstances as possible, 3) you are immune from liability from any civil or criminal liability if reported in good faith, and 4) if you know of abuse but are not reporting it, you are breaking the law.

Nebraska Statutes

Nebraska Statute 28-711: (1) When any physician, medical institution, nurse, school employee, social worker, or any other person has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or observes such child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which reasonably would result in abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident or cause a report to be made to the proper local law enforcement agency, the local Department of Health and Human Services or by calling the statewide hotline number at 1-800-652-1999.

Nebraska Statute 28-716: Persons participating in an investigation or making a report of child abuse or neglect shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed, except for maliciously false statements.

Nebraska Statute 28-717: Any person who willfully fails to make any report required by the law shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

UNL Police Department
300 North 17th Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0634
402-472-2222

Lincoln Police Department
575 South 10th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-441-6000

Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
575 South 10th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-441-6500

Nebraska State Patrol
1600 Hwy 2
Lincoln, NE 68502
402-471-4545