NCJ Number
209058
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: March-April 2005 Pages: 311-331
Date Published
March 2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper presents an overview of the process and consequences of reporting cases of suspected child maltreatment.
Abstract
Although the Child Abuse Prevention Act, which was passed over 3 decades ago, mandates that professionals in the mental health field report suspected cases of child maltreatment to authorities, professionals continue to report hesitancy to do so. One of the main reasons is that professionals are unsure of the reporting process and are not trained to make such reports. Additionally, many professionals fail to report suspected child maltreatment because of concerns about the consequences to themselves, the suspected victim, and the victim’s family. The goal of the current paper is to illuminate the child maltreatment reporting process and the consequences that may result for all parties involved. Professionals are required to make an immediate oral report of suspected abuse and in almost all 50 States a toll-free, 24-hour hotline is maintained by the State’s child protective services (CPS) department to take such oral reports. Following the oral report, professionals must make a written report to the designated authorities in order to provide greater detail of the suspected abuse; some States provide a report form for this process. Should the oral and/or written report be accepted for investigation, a law enforcement or a CPS investigation will ensue, generally involving interviews with the victim, caregivers, witnesses, and the alleged perpetrator. Consequences to the professional for reporting may include a degeneration of the therapeutic relationship due to a perceived break in confidentiality. Professionals are advised to fully inform clients of the limitations on confidentiality in terms of reporting child maltreatment. References