When we hear from a parent whose child has been harmed at school or camp—or has been accused of harming someone else—they are typically angry, confused and scared. They have questions. How do I do best support my kid? What can I do to make sure something like this never happens again? How can I remove content from the internet? How should I work with the school? Should I report this to the police?

We guide families looking for answers to what to do next through our service The Path.

Read on to learn for some basics.

In New York, a "mandatory reporter" is a person who is required by law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. This includes professionals who work closely with children, such as teachers, doctors, social workers, and police officers.
If a mandatory reporter sees signs of abuse or neglect, or if a child tells them about it, they must report their concerns to the New York State Child Abuse Hotline. This law is in place to protect children and ensure that any potential harm is investigated promptly. Failing to report can result in legal consequences for the mandatory reporter.
The answer to that question depends on the state in which you live. In New York State, the age of consent is 17. That means, any person under the age of 17 is by law considered incapable of consenting to sexual activity regardless of the circumstances.
Child pornography, generally speaking, is a sexually explicit image or video depicting a person under the age of 18. Both New York State and federal laws prohibit the creation and possession of child pornography. What parents may not realize, though, is that even teenagers who take or share sexually explicit images might themselves be technically committing a crime. Consulting counsel when your child shares a nude image will help you understand the potential risks.
Title IX is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on sex in schools that accept federal funding (so all public schools and some independent schools). This means that schools cannot treat students differently because of their gender, whether it’s in academics, sports, or other school activities. It also means that schools have take certain steps to protect students against sexual harassment.