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Lesson Two:
Common Concerns Regarding Reporting
Contents:
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Commonly perceived barriers to reporting suspected cases
of child abuse or neglect
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Guidelines and strategies for overcoming perceived barriers
to reporting
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Objectives: After completing this module, the mandated reporters will be
able to…
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Identify a range of barriers which other mandated reporter cite
as hindrances to reporting
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Identify personal or professional barriers which may hinder
his/her own reporting
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Identify guidelines and strategies for overcoming perceived barriers
to reporting
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Commonly Perceived Barriers to Reporting
In an ideal world, there would be no personal or professional barriers
which prevent or discourage a mandated reporter from fulfilling his or
her legal obligation to report a suspected case of child abuse or neglect.
(But then, in an ideal word, there would be no child abuse…)
Mandated reporters cite a variety of factors which can confuse, hinder
or discourage them from first making the telephone call and then filing
a follow-up written report. In fact, in our interviews with mandated
reporters in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County,
California, mandated reporters identified almost sixty different
reasons why they may not report!
In summary, barriers cited by the mandated reporters seem to fall into
the following categories:
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Unfamiliarity with the Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Neglect (not knowing
what to look for, what to ask, what to document; feeling the need to diagnose
or confirm abuse prior to reporting).
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Cultural Concerns (that what is defined as child abuse or neglect in our
society may not be understood by people from other backgrounds or cultures;
language barriers).
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Personal Concerns (fear for their own safety, fear of retaliation, fear
of losing a client, fear of their identity not being kept confidential,
fear of having to testify in court).
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Agency or Organizational Barriers (not knowing the procedures for reporting
in their employment setting, little administrative support, being told to defer
reporting to a colleague or superior).
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Negative Past Experiences in Filing a Report (confusing or conflicting
communication with the reporting agency, difficulty in completing the written
report, a perceived delay in response, no feedback on the status of
the case).
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Concerns Regarding the Outcomes of Filing a Report (has the child been
helped or harmed?)
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Any reasonable person could feel discouraged by these barriers. Yet as a
mandated reporter, you need to remember two key points:
NO PERCEIVED BARRIER CAN BE USED AS AN EXCUSE FORFAILING TO FULFILL YOUR
LEGAL OBLIGATION TO REPORT YOUR SUSPICIONS.
FAILING TO FILE A REPORT JEOPARDIZES THE LIFE OF A CHILD.
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