Mandated Reporters

We’re looking out for children

Protecting the emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our shared top priority. Your partnership as a volunteer for our Council helps to ensure that Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) is a safe place for all girls.

Under Missouri law, people who are responsible for the care of children are required to report suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. By virtue of our roles, Girl Scout troop volunteers are considered to be mandated reporters. As such, troop volunteers must act as the voice for children who may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

Volunteers must make a report if they or someone else has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect, or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

A volunteer who reports a concern is not making an accusation, but simply requesting a professional service to intervene, in accordance with the law. Even if a volunteer is not completely sure if abuse or neglect is occurring, they should report their concerns anyway—always err on the side of the child. All information reported to the Children’s Division, including the identity of the reporter, is kept confidential.

While we hope our troop volunteers will never encounter situations of child abuse or neglect, they must be prepared to take on that responsibility. To that end, troop volunteers are required to complete the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training. Course completion will be required biennially for any active volunteer and the course is available in the Content Library in gsLearn.

Course topics include:

Recognizing signs of child abuse and neglect
Responsibilities of a mandated reporter in Missouri
How to respond to disclosures of abuse or neglect without re-traumatizing the child
Detailed instruction for reporting child abuse or neglect to the Children’s Division

Ways to Report

To report abuse or neglect concerns to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division, call the 24-hour Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect hotline at 800.392.3738 or follow the nearby link to the online reporting system for non-emergencies.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Mandated reporters may also contact the local police department, but doing so does not relieve them of the legal obligation to report their concern to the Children’s Division.

To receive additional support when reporting potential abuse or neglect, please contact GSEM's Senior Manager, Risk Management at 314.592.2317.

Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse and Molestation Policy toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has zero tolerance for any instances of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation of any individual. Any staff member, volunteer, or independent contractor found to have engaged in any such activity will be terminated from their employment, volunteer role, and/or any other affiliation they have with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri will also pursue any and all legal actions warranted in the event of an instance of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation.

Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent.¹
Physical abuse is deliberately aggressive or violent behavior by one person toward another that results in bodily injury.²
Molestation is the act of making sexual advances toward a person who does not want them. Molestation generally implies sexual fondling or touching an individual without lawful consent.³

Missouri law states that if any person with the responsibility for the care of children has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that person shall immediately report to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. Mandated reporters include Girl Scout volunteers and staff.

All concerns about sexual abuse, physical abuse, or molestation should also be reported to the Senior Manager, Risk Management, or the Director of Risk Management. In the event one of those staff members is not available, any such concerns should be reported to any other member of management of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Reports of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or molestation will be investigated.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri will not allow or tolerate any form of retaliation against individuals who report suspected instances of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or molestation or who cooperate in the Council’s investigation of such reports.

¹ From the American Psychological Association. See here

² From the American Psychological Association. See here

³ From the American Psychological Association. See here

Mandatory Volunteer Training toggle arrow

The purpose of the training is to equip volunteers with the knowledge and skills to recognize signs of child abuse or neglect and understand our responsibilities as mandated reporters.

All volunteers are required to complete the following trainings within 60 days of assignment in gsLearn:

Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention: Course available in the Content Library in gsLearn. Course completion will be required annually for any active volunteer.
Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training: Course available in the Content Library in gsLearn. Course completion will be required biennially for any active volunteer.

Click here for Course and Certification Upload Instructions.

Your partnership helps ensure that Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is a safe place for all girls. We are committed to maintaining policies and procedures that create a secure environment for girls to discover their world, connect with their peers and take action to improve their communities. Thank you for your continued volunteer service to our council, helping us build girls of courage, confidence, and character who will make the world a better place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mandatory Volunteer Training FAQ

Need assistance accessing gsLearn?
Contact the Answer Center at 314.400.4600 or answercenter@girlscoutsem.org.