NCJ Number
117725
Journal
Journal of the Center for Women Policy Studies Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (1986) Pages: 6-8
Date Published
1986
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Despite mandatory reporting laws for physicians and other professional groups on child abuse and sanctions for failure to report, underreporting by physicians is still a major problem.
Abstract
Reasons for physicians' reluctance to become involved in child abuse and neglect cases are explored in a survey examining physicians' approaches to reporting and knowledge of and compliance with child abuse reporting laws. Results indicate that one in five physicians rarely or never consider child abuse when examining an injured child; one in four failed to consider child maltreatment in the past in a case that might have been child abuse; and one in three suspected physical abuse of a child at some time in the past, did not report it to authorities, and felt it was better at times not to report suspected child abuse if they were not certain of abuse. Remedies include further education of the medical community and mandatory reporting status. It is also suggested that the health practitioner's role is not to prove that a child has been abused but only to report to appropriate authorities when they reasonably believe abuse has occurred.