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Reporting Child Abuse

Read This Required Information About Child Abuse

Read This Required Information About Child Abuse

Child abuse policy requires that the individual reporting
the alleged child abuse to specify the relationship between the child and the
individual who is subjecting the child to abuse. The person who is reporting
the abuse will need to inform the child abuse prevention services about the
nature of the abuse that is taking place. They will need to inform the
authorities whether the abuse is
 physical, sexual, psychological, or neglect.

If the reporter of the abuse is
unsure of this information, but has reason to suspect that a child is suffering
from abuse, the individual should contact the local authorities anyway. The
more information that an individual can provide about a child, the child’s
abuser, and the nature of the abuse, the more prepared that the child abuse
prevention services will be to handle the case.

Child abuse policy does not
require ordinary citizens who are reporting abuse to provide information about
themselves. They may contact the national or statewide abuse hotline, or their
local law enforcement agency, and remain anonymous. However, providing the
authorities with information about yourself may be beneficial to the child, as
the individual who was responsible for reporting the abuse may become pertinent
in the future of the case.

All You Need to Know About Varying State Services

All You Need to Know About Varying State Services

Make Sure You Understand The Exceptions for Reporting

Make Sure You Understand The Exceptions for Reporting

Every State has developed mandatory reporting laws regarding child abuse and neglect. Therapists and mental health professionals are also required to take part in reporting child abuse. In most cases, if a child is being subjected to abuse a therapist will know, or at least suspect, that the maltreatment of the child is occurring.
Some states have developed exceptions to the law that makes reporting child abuse mandatory for therapists. For example, in some states, if a child has suffered from physical or emotional abuse and they attend regular counseling sessions to remedy the problem, then the therapist may not have to report the child abuse to authorities. This may be the case if the abuse was not a frequent occurrence and if the therapist determines that child is at low risk for being subjected to abuse again.
Although mandatory reporting laws have been developed to ensure the safety of children, many states recognize that in some instances it is not appropriate to require professionals to disclose information that was entrusted to them in confidence.