REPORTING Child abuse If it’s not our responsibility, whose is it? Alyssa Meyers CAS 100A November 11, 2009

Press Enterprise Article from local newspaper Babysitter of three year old boy reports a father for questionable disciplinary strategies Outcome What if she hadn’t called? Was it her place to call authorities? YES.

Make it your responsibility How many people see abuse happening and don’t report it? Why? What misconceptions make people believe it’s acceptable not to report? How many innocent lives could be saved? We, as a nation, should start considering child abuse a community issue rather than a private matter.

Mandated reporters What are they? Who are they? Professionals required by law to report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect they see, hear, or otherwise become aware of Who are they? Healthcare workers Social services professionals Law enforcement officials Educators Childcare workers, etc. Who should they be?

Why not report Abuse? I conducted a survey on the Penn State Hazleton Campus this semester Results: Fear they would make it worse Fear of damaging relationships “None of their business” Figured someone else would speak up Intervened themselves Did not want the child taken from loved ones & placed in a strange home

No excuses… Can you make it worse by calling? No. Trained professionals will deal with the situation Does it have to damage relationships? No. Calls CAN be made anonymously Is it “your business”? Yes. If you don’t get help for them, who will? Should you “fix” it yourself? No. Leave it to the professionals Could put yourself AND the child at risk If it’s an emergency, call 9-1-1 Will the child always be removed from the home? No. Only in extreme & emergent situations

Not an easy task, But a necessary one They aren’t all monsters Family members or close friends Crossed the line between discipline & abuse Sometimes don’t realize the severity of their actions May be inexperienced (neglect), grew up in a bad atmosphere themselves, Sometimes a warning is like a “wake-up call” What if you’re wrong? Can be anonymous; if suspicions aren’t substantiated, the family is left alone What if you aren’t wrong?

Wouldn’t you want someone to defend them? Summary Reasons why people don’t feel obligated to report child abuse Why these should not be “excuses” What if it were a child you know and love? Wouldn’t you want someone to defend them?

If it’s not our responsibility, whose is it? Feel free to contact me at: amm5817@psu.edu For a copy of this presentation or more information on child abuse, visit: Weebly.com/xlyssabell

Works cited American Humane Association, Initials. (2009). Protecting children from abuse. Retrieved from <http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-children/ > on October 3, 2009. Child Welfare, Initials. (2008, November 10). Mandated reporting. Retrieved from <http://www.childwelfare.gov/responding/mandated.cf m > on October 7, 2009.