ABSTRACT
If young people are being abused physically, sexually, or being neglected the state child and family services office must be contacted. Many of us are mandated reporters under state law and simply have no choice but to immediately report abuse and neglect cases. When youth find themselves in trouble with law enforcement, mentors may need to take a more active role in digging them out of their own problems. A young person's first negative contact with law enforcement is a critical step in his or her life, and it can influence his or her life forever. Mentors can serve as key advocates for young people, and may be able to help their mentee find their way to a diversion or other specialized program that can prevent the young person from moving deeper into the criminal justice system. Many young people end up in trouble simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
