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New York Child Molestation Laws

Sex Offender Registry

New York Sex Offender Search

Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

New York Social Services Code § 413 sets forth a list of professionals requires to report suspected child abuse and neglect (including sexual abuse). These professionals include medical care professionals, counselors and therapists, school officials and teachers, social services workers, and law enforcement officials. Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or maltreated may also report.

Reports must be made immediately. Failure to report is a misdemeanor.

Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

New York Soc. Serv. Law § 371 provides that ‘abused child’ means a child younger than age 18 whose parent or other person legally responsible for his or her care:

  • Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury by other than accidental means that causes or creates a substantial risk of death, serious or protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of physical or emotional health, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ
  • Creates or allows to be created a substantial risk of physical injury to such child by other than accidental means that would be likely to cause death, serious or protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of physical or emotional health, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ

The term ‘abused child’ includes a child younger than age 18 whose parent or other person legally responsible for his or her care commits, or allows to be committed, an act of sexual abuse against such child, as defined in title H, article 130, of the penal law.