Knowingly False and Malicious Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect in Pennsylvania: Critical Questions, Findings, and Recommendations

• NCJ Number: 171798
• Author(s): R E Cosner; N A Weiner; V Huang; R Rendon; U Bischoff; I M Schwartz
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 251 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Dept of Public Welfare
• Corporate Author: University of Pennsylvania
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Pennsylvania Dept of Public Welfare
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This Pennsylvania study examined the extent of unfounded reports of suspected child abuse that are knowingly false and maliciously reported, as well as the advisability of adopting a protocol for the screening of anonymous referrals of suspected child abuse.

Abstract

The study examined these two related issues by designing an approach for assessing official policies, procedures, and practices that relate to the investigation of an accusation of child abuse. The study components included a review of the laws of other States pertinent to this issue, a literature review, statewide focus groups and county survey, and a prospective study. Information from the county survey and prospective study suggest that knowingly false and malicious reporting is considered a problem that affects service delivery in children and youth agencies, is often believed to be on the increase, and occurs frequently enough to warrant close cooperative attention by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the county agencies. Additionally, the complicating and perhaps extenuating factors that characterize it require an informed systematic response that should be directed by the Office of Children, Youth, and Families. The recommendations offered in this report do not create additional, major fiscal or administrative burdens. 4 tables, 48 figures, and 10 attachments