Child Abuse Reporting Laws for Delaware

Last Reviewed:

State and Statute: Delaware, Code Title 16 §§ 901 et seq.

What Is Reportable “Abuse”: Physical injury or neglect by those responsible for the care, custody and/or control of the child; emotional or sexual abuse, exploitation, maltreatment, or mistreatment, torture by anyone. [Code Title 10 §§ 901]

Mandatory Reporters: Includes any person, agency, organization or entity who knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect. [903(a)]

How and Where to Report: “A report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect… must be made orally by immediately contacting the Department’s report line” or under certain circumstances through the Department’s online reporting portal. [904(a)(b)]

Timeline to Report: Immediately. [904(a)]

Clergy Privilege: “No legally recognized privilege, except that between…priest and penitent in a sacramental confession, applies to situations involving known or suspected child abuse…and does not constitute grounds for failure to report [child abuse] or to give or accept evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect.” [909(a)]

Penalty for Knowingly Failing to Report: Fine of not more than $10,000 for first violation, nor more than $50,000 for subsequent violation. [914]

Civil Liability for Failure to Report Recognized?

“Whoever violates section 903 of this title shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for the first violation, and not to exceed $50,000 for any subsequent violation.” [914(a)]

In any action brought under this section, if the court finds a violation, the court may award costs and attorneys’ fees. [914(b)]

Immunity for Inaccurate Report: “Any person participating in good faith in the making of a report or notifying police officers pursuant to this chapter … has immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise exist.” [908(a)]

Disclosure of Mandatory Reporter’s Identity: Anonymous reports may be made, but Department may request reporter’s name and address. [905(e)]

Additional Information for Delaware:

All information provided here was most recently verified in March of 2025.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

Related Resources

Visit Store

ajax-loader-largecaret-downcloseHamburger Menuicon_amazonApple PodcastsBio Iconicon_cards_grid_caretChild Abuse Reporting Laws by State IconChurchSalary Iconicon_facebookGoogle Podcastsicon_instagramLegal Library IconLegal Library Iconicon_linkedinLock IconMegaphone IconOnline Learning IconPodcast IconRecent Legal Developments IconRecommended Reading IconRSS IconSubmiticon_select-arrowSpotify IconAlaska State MapAlabama State MapArkansas State MapArizona State MapCalifornia State MapColorado State MapConnecticut State MapWashington DC State MapDelaware State MapFederal MapFlorida State MapGeorgia State MapHawaii State MapIowa State MapIdaho State MapIllinois State MapIndiana State MapKansas State MapKentucky State MapLouisiana State MapMassachusetts State MapMaryland State MapMaine State MapMichigan State MapMinnesota State MapMissouri State MapMississippi State MapMontana State MapMulti State MapNorth Carolina State MapNorth Dakota State MapNebraska State MapNew Hampshire State MapNew Jersey State MapNew Mexico IconNevada State MapNew York State MapOhio State MapOklahoma State MapOregon State MapPennsylvania State MapRhode Island State MapSouth Carolina State MapSouth Dakota State MapTennessee State MapTexas State MapUtah State MapVirginia State MapVermont State MapWashington State MapWisconsin State MapWest Virginia State MapWyoming State IconShopping Cart IconTax Calendar Iconicon_twitteryoutubepauseplay
caret-downclosefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squarepauseplaytwitter-square