Child abuse or neglect: Are you a mandated reporter? March 2008

While anyone who witnesses or suspects Physical abuse ready to stay home alone. In fact, there’s an incident of child abuse or neglect is This includes any non-accidental injury no certain age in the state of Ohio at strongly encouraged to report the situa- to a child that is inflicted or allowed to be which a child is considered ready to stay tion to Children Services, reporting such inflicted by a caretaker. Sometimes these home alone. Before leaving a child at observations is not optional for people injuries have occurred due to physical home, you must consider factors such as who work with children in a professional discipline. Some examples are welts, the child’s maturity level, the length of capacity. These individuals, include (but loop marks, bites, burns, bruises (on face, time you’ll be gone, whether or not the are not limited to) school teachers or lower back, inner thigh, upper arm, and child will be able to reach you in case of employees, counselors, therapists, doc- behind the ear) and unexplained recur- a problem, whether someone else—like tors, nurses, clergy, and administrators rent injuries. Grandma—is able to check in on the or employees of childcare agencies. They child, and whether or not the child does are considered “mandated reporters,” and Sexual abuse a good job of following rules,” explains are required by law to report suspected This includes any act of a sexual nature Dunn. cases of abuse or neglect. upon or with a child. According to Dunn, “This doesn’t necessarily have to mean Other examples include medical neglect, Sometimes, though, even people who touching or intercourse. Sexual abuse or failing to get the proper medical care are legally bound to make a report are could also include exposing the child to for a child who is ill, as well as education- reluctant to do so for various reasons. For pornography or inappropriate language al neglect, which is failing to send a child example, if a case of abuse or neglect is as well as inappropriate grooming-type to school on a regular basis (not just the disclosed to a therapist or clergyman, he behavior, such as helping a girl bathe occasional “sick day”). or she may worry that reporting the situ- when she’s old enough to bathe herself.” ation would conflict with confidentiality. Failure to report could subject a child Or, a daycare operator might suspect Emotional abuse to additional abuse or neglect or, in the that a child is being mistreated but worst-case scenario, death. Also if profes- Emotional abuse often goes hand in choose not to report the suspicion out of sionals fail to report, they could be found hand with other forms of abuse or concern over losing the income from the guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth neglect and typically involves a parent child’s family. degree and liable for civil damages. or other caregiver persistently saying negative things to the child to the point “I always ask them, ‘What’s more impor- What should a mandated reporter (or that the child feels worthless. Because tant, the child’s well-being or the money anyone else) do if he or she is uncertain emotional abuse leaves no physical you might lose?’” says Sherry Dunn, a whether something they’re seeing meets bruises or scars, it is the most difficult to public information specialist for Lucas the criteria of abuse or neglect? “If you’re prove. Often, the problem emerges only County Children Services (LCCS). “Profes- not sure, just call Lucas County Children when the child is in counseling or talking sionals should be upfront and honest Services at 419-213-CARE (2273). Agency to a psychiatrist. with their clients that if abuse or neglect representatives will be happy to answer comes up, they are required to report it any questions or discuss any concerns Neglect to our agency. And if they have to make you might have,” says Dunn. After a re- that phone call, they should discuss it Neglect, the largest umbrella, is defined port is accepted, it is the responsibility of with the client, explaining that ‘This is as the failure of a parent or guardian Lucas County Children Services to inves- something that concerns me, and I have to provide the proper minimal level of tigate and determine if abuse or neglect to report it.’” care over a period of time. Any form of is in fact occurring, relieving the reporter inadequate or dangerous child rearing of the uncertainty and worry. However, before it’s necessary to call falls under this category. “An example of LCCS to make a report, certain criteria neglect would be leaving a child home must be met. That is, the suspected be- alone before he is mature enough to havior must fall into one of the following handle it. In some cases, kids can be four categories: biologically ready but not emotionally

"This article is reprinted from and with the permission of HEALTHY LIVING NEWS."