B. DO I HAVE TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD RAPE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT?

State law requires all DSHS employees to report suspected child rape to law enforcement. We often become aware of child rape when working with a pregnant or parenting female under the age of 16. For this reason, the definitions below refer to the age of “the father” of the minor’s child. However, the requirement to report is not limited to female pregnant or parenting minors under age 16, or only to child rape that results in pregnancy.

There are three degrees of child rape (as defined in RCW 9A.44.073-079 ). The age of the minor refers to the age at the time of conception, and “father” refers to the father of the minor’s child. Report child rape to law enforcement when the child is a pregnant or parenting minor and at the time of conception the child was: Less than 12 years of age when the father of the minor’s child was at least 24 months older; At least 12 years of age but less than 14 when the father of the minor’s child is 36 months older; or At least 14 years of age but less than 16 when the father of the minor’s child is at least 48 months older and is not married to the minor.

When we report suspected child rape to law enforcement, the report must include the following, if known: The child’s name, address, and age; The name and address of the child’s parent, stepparents, guardians, or other persons having custody of the child; Information about injuries, neglect, or sexual abuse; and The identity of the alleged perpetrator.