Opinion No. Oag 10-87, (1987)

PAMELA J. KAHLER, Corporation Counsel Dunn County

You ask whether suspected child abuse may be reported under section 48.981 (2), Stats., when the abuser, rather than the victim, is seen in the course of professional duties. The situation leading to your question is one where an individual seeking professional help for mental or emotional problems or an individual taken into custody under chapter 51 voluntarily and without solicitation informs a medical or mental health professional of incidents where he or she has abused a child in some manner.

Under section 48.981 (2), certain individuals,…