Mandated Reporting
Mandated Reporting
Reporting child abuse often becomes an ethical dilemma because violating a client’s right to confidentiality and breaking the law are both considered unethical behavior. There are many factors a social worker must take into consideration when making a report of child abuse such as; circumstances of the suspected abuse, professional and ethical standards, and legal requirements. However, there are guidelines and a Code of Ethics to help social workers ensure this process is handled in a professional and safe manner.
Mandated reporting is one of the main tools in the fight against child abuse prevention. As a social worker, I have a legal and moral responsibility to report any suspicions of child abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, child abuse is defined as, “Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm” (Child Welfare Information Gateway 2008). Child abuse can range anywhere from actual physical assault to verbal assault and/or neglect. Each year, millions of children are abused and neglected and many die at the hands of their primary care givers.
Each year, the U.S. Department of health and Human Services, along with the Children’s Bureau, collect data on child abuse and neglect throughout the United States. These statistics are staggering and absolutely horrifying. According to the Children’s Bureau, for the year of 2011, in the United States there were 676,569 victims of child abuse and neglect. Out of those 679,569 victims, 78.5 percent suffered neglect, 17.6 percent suffered physical abuse, and 9.1 percent suffered from sexual abuse. A total of 1,545 children died. Also, about 80 percent of the perpetrators of child abuse were the victims’ parents (Children’s Bureau 2011). Protection of children from harm is an
Reporting child abuse often becomes an ethical dilemma because violating a client’s right to confidentiality and breaking the law are both considered unethical behavior. There are many factors a social worker must take into consideration when making a report of child abuse such as; circumstances of the suspected abuse, professional and ethical standards, and legal requirements. However, there are guidelines and a Code of Ethics to help social workers ensure this process is handled in a professional and safe manner.
Mandated reporting is one of the main tools in the fight against child abuse prevention. As a social worker, I have a legal and moral responsibility to report any suspicions of child abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, child abuse is defined as, “Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm” (Child Welfare Information Gateway 2008). Child abuse can range anywhere from actual physical assault to verbal assault and/or neglect. Each year, millions of children are abused and neglected and many die at the hands of their primary care givers.
Each year, the U.S. Department of health and Human Services, along with the Children’s Bureau, collect data on child abuse and neglect throughout the United States. These statistics are staggering and absolutely horrifying. According to the Children’s Bureau, for the year of 2011, in the United States there were 676,569 victims of child abuse and neglect. Out of those 679,569 victims, 78.5 percent suffered neglect, 17.6 percent suffered physical abuse, and 9.1 percent suffered from sexual abuse. A total of 1,545 children died. Also, about 80 percent of the perpetrators of child abuse were the victims’ parents (Children’s Bureau 2011). Protection of children from harm is an
References: Children’s Bureau. (2013). U.S. Department of Health. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cm11.pdf#page=28 Code of Ethics. (2008). National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from: https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse/Neglect. (2013). Vermont Department for Children and Families. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from: http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/reporting_child_abuse/mandated_reporters The Vermont Statutes Online. (2010). Vermont State Legislature. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title=33&Chapter=049&Section=04913 What is Child Abuse and Neglect? (2006). Child Welfare Information Gateway. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm