{{short description|People legally required to report abuse}} {{Criminal law}} A '''mandated reporter''' is a person who is required by law to report crimes, typically if they know or suspect a child or vulnerable adult has been or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Mandatory reporting laws can also extend to vulnerable adults due to a disability, mental illness, or old age. If a mandated reporter does not report these crimes, they may be subject to civil and criminal penalties for failing to report. Mandated reporters include people with professions involving children, vulnerable adults, and emergency services (i.e., teachers, physicians, and police officers), while other states consider all adults to be mandated reporters regardless of their profession.
== History == In 1962, United States doctors C. Henry Kempe and Brandt Steele published "The Battered Child Syndrome",<ref>C. Henry Kempe and Ray E. Helfer, editors: ''The Battered Child''. 1st edition, 1968. 2nd edition, Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1974. 3rd edition, 1980. 5th edition by M. E. Helfer, R. Kempe, and R. Krugman, 1997.</ref><ref>C. H. Kempe, Frederic N. Silverman, Brandt F. Steele, William Droegemuller, Henry K. Silver: "The Battered Child Syndrome." ''Journal of the American Medical Association'', 1962, 181: 17–24. Tardieu's syndrome. Also called Caffey–Kempe syndrome.</ref> which helped doctors identify child abuse, its effects, and the need to report serious physical abuse to legal authorities. Its publication changed the prevalent views in the United States, where child abuse was previously seen as uncommon, and not a regular issue.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-wolff/battered-child-syndrome_b_2406348.html|title = The Battered-Child Syndrome: 50 Years Later|date = 4 January 2013|website = Huffington Post|last = Wolff|first = Larry}}</ref> In 1974, the United States Congress passed the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which provides funds to states for development of CPS and hotlines to prevent serious injuries to children. These laws and the media and advocacy coverage and research brought about a gradual change in societal expectations on reporting in the United States and, at different rates, in other western nations.<ref name="Krason_Lit_Survey">{{cite web|url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255631799|title = The Critics Of Current Child Abuse Laws And The Child Protective System: A Survey Of The Leading Literature|author = Krason, Stephen M.|publisher = The Catholic Social Science Review|year = 2007|page = 307,308,307–350}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/hjlpp8&div=46&id=&page= | title = "Doing Something" About Child Abuse: The Need to Narrow the Grounds For State Intervention | journal = Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy | volume = 8 | author = Douglas J. Besharov | publisher = Harvard J.L. & Pub. Pol’y | year = 1985 | pages = 539–590}}</ref>
Originally created to respond to physical abuse, reporting systems in various countries began to expand to address sexual abuse and emotional abuse, child neglect, and exposure to domestic abuse. This expansion was accompanied by broader requirements for reporting abuse: previously reports were only submitted when an incident caused serious physical injury, but as the definitions changed, more minor physical injuries and developmental and psychological trauma began to be included as well.<ref name="AIFS submission">{{cite journal |title = Australian Institute of Family Studies Submission to the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW|publisher = National Child Protection Clearinghouse|last1 = Bromfield|first1 = Leah|last2 = Holzer|first2 = Prue|citeseerx = 10.1.1.385.2444}}</ref>
In the U.S. as of 2013, there had been a huge increase of reporting over the decades with enormous numbers of unsubstantiated cases.<ref name="MondaleAct">{{cite web |url=http://www.faithandreason.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Mondale-Act-After-Forty-Years_-True.pdf |title=The Mondale Act and Its Aftermath: An Overview of Forty Years of American Law, Public Policy, and Governmental Response to Child Abuse and Neglect |author=Krason, Stephen M. |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2013 |pages=1–58 |access-date=2013-08-28 |archive-date=2015-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090527/http://www.faithandreason.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Mondale-Act-After-Forty-Years_-True.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Referrals increased each year, but the actual substantiated cases remained low and are approximately the same or declined each year.<ref name="NCANDS 1996 to 2011" /> A Swedish commentator wrote that "media and commentators often take the number of referrals to be synonymous with the number of cases of actual child maltreatment", which makes the problem appear larger than it is.<ref name="Child Sweden">{{cite web|url=https://www.naturalchild.org/guest/joan_durrant.html |title=Child Abuse in Sweden |author= Joan E. Durrant |publisher= The Natural Child Project |year = 2012}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2024}}
In 2014, in response to the Penn State sex abuse scandal, then-Governor Tom Corbett passed a bill which extended the state's mandatory reporting obligations to include additional professionals as a measure to increase reports concerning child abuse. However, an article published by NBC News and ProPublica found in the first half of the 2010s (before the changes), there were 29,766 children investigated with only 10,410 being substantiated. In the later half of the decade, after the changes, the number of reported children was 42,366, but only 10,399 were sustained. Critics of mandatory reporting laws point out the number of fatalities relating to child abuse rose from 96 in 2014 to 194 in 2021 (seven years after the implementation).<ref name="pp">{{Cite web |last=Mei-Ling |first=Mike Hixenbaugh, Suzy Khimm, Agnel Philip, Stephanie |date=2022-10-12 |title=Mandatory Reporting Was Supposed to Stop Severe Child Abuse. It Punishes Poor Families Instead. |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/mandatory-reporting-strains-systems-punishes-poor-families |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}</ref>
== Criteria for mandatory reporting of child abuse by jurisdiction == The criteria for reporting vary significantly based on jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Mandatory Reporting Laws and Identification of Child Abuse and Neglect: Consideration of Differential Maltreatment Types, and a Cross-Jurisdictional Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse Reports|last = Mathews|first = Ben|date = 2014|journal = Social Sciences|volume = 3|doi = 10.3390/socsci3030460|issue = 3|pages = 460–482|issn = 2076-0760|doi-access = free}}</ref> Typically, mandatory reporting applies to people who have reason to suspect the abuse or neglect of a child, but it can also apply to people who suspect abuse or neglect of a dependent adult or the elderly,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ladcss.org/APS/APSMandatedtext.htm | title = APS (adult protective services) Mandated Reporters| author = Los Angeles County, California Department of Community and Senior Services}}</ref> or to any members of society (sometimes called Universal Mandatory Reporting [UMR]).<ref name="Madge 1996">{{cite book|last=Madge|first=M |author2=K. Attridge |title=Children and families. Social care in Europe|publisher=B. Munday and P. Ely, Prentice Hall|year=1996}}</ref><ref name="Ho 2017">{{cite journal|last1=Ho|first1=GWK|title=Universal Mandatory Reporting Policies and the Odds of Identifying Child Physical Abuse|journal=American Journal of Public Health|date=May 2017|volume=107| issue=5| pages=709–716| doi=10.2105/AJPH.2017.303667|pmid=28323475|pmc=5388942}}</ref> A large majority of European countries – 86 percent – have some form of mandatory reporting; 77 percent of African countries do; 72 percent of Asian countries and 90 percent of the Americas do.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Perry|first1=Tom|title=Child abuse needs mandatory reporting to create a high-risk environment for paedophiles|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/child-abuse-needs-mandatory-reporting-to-create-a-highrisk-environment-for-paedophiles-10077521.html|access-date=14 August 2015|agency=The Independent}}</ref>
In '''Australia,''' the Northern Territory requires all citizens to report suspected child abuse,<ref name = NT>{{cite web| url = http://remotehealthatlas.nt.gov.au/mandatory_reporting_overview.pdf | title = Remote Health Atlas- Mandatory Reporting overview | author = Northern Territory Department of Health and Families| date = 7 June 2022 }}</ref> and the other states and territories have mandatory reporting for designated work roles.<ref name = WA>{{cite web |url = http://www.mandatoryreporting.dcp.wa.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx | title = Mandatory reporting in Western Australia | author = Western Australia Department of Child Protection| date = May 2024 }}</ref><ref name = SA>{{cite web | url = http://www.families.sa.gov.au/pages/protectingchildren/MandatoryNotificationObligations/?reFlag=1 | title = Mandatory notification – obligations of individuals and organisations | author = South Australia Department of Education and Child Development | access-date = 2013-08-04 | archive-date = 2014-03-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305223310/http://www.families.sa.gov.au/pages/protectingchildren/MandatoryNotificationObligations/?reFlag=1 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name = TAS>{{cite web| url = http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/63047/FINAL_-OTS_Mandatory_Reporters_Fact_Sheet.pdf | title = Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and/or Neglect |author = Tasmanian Department of Disability, Child, Youth and Family Services}}</ref><ref name = VIC>{{cite web| url = http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/cpmanual/intake/overview-of-intake-of-reports-under-the-children,-youth-and-families-act/1122-mandatory-and-other-required-reporting | title = Child Protection Practice Manual | author = Victorian Department of Human Services}}</ref><ref name = NSW>{{cite web| url = http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/preventing_child_abuse_and_neglect/resources_for_mandatory_reporters.html | title = Resources for mandatory reporters | author= NSW Department of Family and community Services- Community Services}}</ref><ref name = QLD>{{cite web| url = http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/protecting-children/about-child-protection/mandatory-notifiers-and-reporting | title = Mandatory notifiers and reporting | author = Queensland Department of communities, child Safety and Disability Services}}</ref><ref name = ACT>{{cite web | url = http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/services/care_and_protection | title = Care and Protection Services | author = ACT Department of community Services | access-date = 2013-08-04 | archive-date = 2013-05-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130515071920/http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/services/care_and_protection | url-status = dead }}</ref>
In '''Brazil''', notification is mandatory in the health system, in schools and by the Child Protection Councils (CPC) network, present in many municipalities.<ref name="brazilwho"/>
In '''Malaysia''', The Child Act 2001 requires any medical officer or medical practitioner, childcare provider or member of the family to notify his/her concerns, suspicions or beliefs that a child may have been abused or neglected to the appropriate child protection authority in the country. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges.<ref name=malaysia_unicef>{{cite web|title=Report Abuse|url=http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/campaigns_getonboard-report-child-abuse.html|website=UNICEF|access-date=14 August 2015|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910203047/http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/campaigns_getonboard-report-child-abuse.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In '''South Africa''', Section 110 of the Children's Act, 2005 mandates 'Any correctional official, dentist, homeopath, immigration official, labour inspector, legal practitioner, medical practitioner, midwife, minister of religion, nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, religious leader, social service professional, social worker, speech therapist, teacher, traditional health practitioner, traditional leader or member of staff or volunteer worker at a partial care facility, drop-in centre or child and youth care centre' to report when they suspect that a child has been abused 'in a manner causing physical injury, sexually abused or deliberately neglected'. The Sexual Offences Act, 1957, compels all citizens who are aware of the sexual exploitation of children to report the offence to the police.<ref name=SAMJ>{{cite journal|last1=Hendricks|first1=ML|title=Mandatory reporting of child abuse in South Africa: Legislation explored|journal=South African Medical Journal|date=August 2014|volume=104|issue=8|pages=550–552 |doi=10.7196/SAMJ.8110 |doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 |pmid=25213842 |url=http://samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/8110|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Under '''UK''' law only local authority social workers, health and social service board social workers (Northern Ireland) and police have a duty to report suspicions that a child is in need of care and protection. Local child protection guidelines and professional codes of conduct may expect other professionals, such as teachers and medical staff, to report, but they do not have to do so as a matter of law.<ref name="Madge 1996"/> Front-line professionals are also required to report cases of female genital mutilation.<ref>Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/31/section/5B S. 5B]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crime-and-policing-news-update-february-2015/crime-and-policing-news-update-february-2015|title=Crime and policing news update: February 2015 - GOV.UK}}</ref>
=== North America === In the '''United States,''' states frequently amend their laws, but as of April 2019 all states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have statutes identifying persons who are required to report suspected child maltreatment to an appropriate agency.<ref name="us"/>
Approximately 48 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands designate professions the members of which are mandated by law to report child maltreatment.<ref name="us"/>
As of April 2019, in 18 states and Puerto Rico, any person who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report suspected abuse or neglect regardless of profession.<ref>See, e.g., Kentucky Revised Statutes [https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=49898 § 620.030], which also requires all citizens to report suspected trafficking or female genital mutilation of children.</ref> In all other States, territories, and the District of Columbia, any non-mandated person is also allowed to report.<ref name="us">{{cite web|last1=National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information (NAIC)|title=Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect|date=April 2019 | url =https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/manda.pdf | publisher = Child Welfare Information Gateway}}</ref>
'''Canada''' imposes a mandatory requirement on all citizens, except in the Yukon Territory where it is restricted to those who come in contact with children in their professional roles.<ref name=crossjuris/>
'''Mexico''' also has legislative reporting duties.<ref name=crossjuris>{{cite web|title=Mandatory reporting legislation in the USA, Canada and Australia: a cross-jurisdictional review of key features, differences, and issues.|url=http://eprints.qut.edu.au/11850/1/11850_1.pdf|access-date=4 August 2013|author=Mathews, Benjamin|year=2008}}</ref>
=== European Union === The Council of Europe has urged all countries to have mandatory reporting of child abuse, but several European countries do not: As of 2015, 15 member states (Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, as well as the United Kingdom, which has left the EU on 31 January 2020) have reporting obligations in place for all professionals. In 10 member states (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal and Slovakia) existing obligations only address certain professional groups such as social workers or teachers.<ref name = "eu">{{cite web|title=Provisions on professionals' legal obligation to report cases of child abuse, neglect and violence|url=http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/data-and-maps/comparative-data/child-protection/reporting-1|website=European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights|access-date=15 August 2015|archive-date=18 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718104333/http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/data-and-maps/comparative-data/child-protection/reporting-1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
As of 2015, specific reporting obligations existed also for civilians, to report cases of child abuse, neglect and/or exploitation existed in more than half (15) of the EU member states (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden). In many member states without specific provisions, general provisions on the obligation for all citizens to report a criminal act under national law apply, but with no specific obligation to report a child at risk of abuse.<ref>{{cite web|title=Specific legal obligations for civilians to report cases of child abuse, neglect and violence|url=http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/data-and-maps/comparative-data/child-protection/reporting2|website=European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights|access-date=15 August 2015|archive-date=18 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718110455/http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/data-and-maps/comparative-data/child-protection/reporting2|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Notably, as of March 2014 Germany, Malta and the Netherlands had no reporting obligations in place. Malta created a new draft Child Protection Act (Out of Home Care),<ref>{{cite web|title=Child Protection Act (Out of Home Care), 2014.|url=http://justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=25981&l=1|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> introducing the obligation of mandatory reporting for all professionals and volunteers.<ref name = "eu"/>
== Processes for reporting == The processes for reporting vary greatly among jurisdictions.
Mandated reporters are usually required to give their name when they make a report. This allows investigators to contact them for further details if needed, and protects the mandated reporter from accusations that they did not report as required by law.<ref name="AIFS submission" /><ref name=us /><ref name=crossjuris />
Typically, reporters are encouraged to report their suspicions and not to investigate or wait for absolute proof, which can lead to further harm directed at the suspected victim, and allow for perpetrators to prepare their defence through intimidation. The investigation of the abuse is then left to professionals. Some jurisdictions allow clear protections for reports made in good faith, protecting the disclosure of the reporter's name.<ref name="AIFS submission" /><ref name=us /><ref name=crossjuris />
Innocence should be presumed unless and until evidence establishing guilt is obtained and it must be remembered that only suspicions are being reported.<ref name="welfareacademy.org">{{cite journal|url= https://www.welfareacademy.org/pubs/childwelfare/respondingto_94.pdf |title= Responding to Child Sexual Abuse: The Need for a Balanced Approach |author=Besharov, Douglas J |journal=The Future of Children| volume = 4|number = 2| pages = 136, 135–155| date = Summer 1994 |doi= 10.2307/1602528 |jstor= 1602528 |pmid= 7804761 }}</ref>
=== Professions and reporting === Mandated reporting requirements generally apply to professions that have frequent contact with children, although in some jurisdictions all citizens are required to report suspicions of some forms of abuse. Other jurisdictions have mandated requirements only of doctors or medical professionals.
Jurisdictions may note that, while these groups are ''legally required'' (mandated) to report, most jurisdictions allow for ''voluntary'' reports by any concerned people.
=== Clergy–penitent privilege and other exemptions === Conflicts between a mandated reporter's duties and some privileged communication statutes are common but, in general, attorney–client privileges and clergy–penitent privileges are exempt from mandatory reporting in many jurisdictions. In some states in the US, psychiatrist and psychologists are also exempt from mandatory reporting.<ref>Child Welfare Information Gateway. ''(2016). Mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect.'' Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau. Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/manda.pdf#page=3&view=Privileged%20communications</ref>
"Clergy–penitent privilege" is privileged communication that protects communication between a member of the clergy and a communicant, who shares information in confidence. When applied, neither the minister nor the "penitent" can be forced to testify in court, by deposition, or other legal proceedings, about the contents of the communication.<ref name= "abanow.org">{{cite journal|url=http://www.abanow.org/2006/12/answers-to-questions-about-the-attorney-client-privilege|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703161328/http://www.abanow.org/2006/12/answers-to-questions-about-the-attorney-client-privilege|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 3, 2013|title=Answers to Questions about the Attorney–Client Privilege|author=American Bar Association|journal=ABA Now|editor=American Bar Association|date=December 1, 2006}}</ref> Most US states provide the privilege, typically in rules of evidence or civil procedure, and the confidentiality privilege has also been extended to non-catholic clergy and non-Sacramental counseling.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/clergymandated.pdf | title = Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect| author=Child Welfare Information Gateway | editor = Children’s Bureau | year = 2012 | pages = 1–19 }}</ref>
== Statistics by country ==
=== Australia === In 2015–16, of the total number of notifications (355,935), 164,987 cases (involving 115,024 children) of child abuse were investigated or were in the process of being investigated. Of these investigations, 60,989 cases were substantiated<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/child-abuse-and-neglect-statistics|title=Child abuse and neglect statistics|date=2017-06-15|website=Child Family Community Australia|language=en|access-date=2019-01-02|archive-date=2016-02-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229115736/https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/child-abuse-and-neglect-statistics|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Brazil === Brazil has a mandatory reporting system for child maltreatment that is enforced by the health and educational systems, but due to the absence of national prevalence surveys, the difference between data generated by such mandatory reports and actual incidence of abuse is not known, although it is believed that mandatory report systems may result in underreporting. While specific data on mandatory reporting is unavailable, data collected from 314 municipalities (out of 5564) across the country revealed that in the second half of 2005 alone, 27,986 children received attention from the Social Welfare Centers: either because of sexual abuse (13,240), psychological violence (4,340), neglect (4,073), physical violence (3,436) and sexual exploitation (2,887). Most victims were in the 7–14 years group (17,738). 4,936 were under 6 years old.<ref name="brazilwho">{{cite web|last1=Cardia|first1=Nancy|last2=Lagatta|first2=Pedro|last3=Affonso|first3=Claudinei|title=Assessment of Child Maltreatment Prevention Readiness Country Report Brazil|url=https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/child/brazil_rap_cm.pdf|website=World Health Organization|access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref>
=== Canada === Canada provides data on substantiations but not reports.<ref name="CIS-2008">{{cite web|url= http://cwrp.ca/cis-2008 |title= Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect- 2008 |author= Public Health Agency of Canada | year = 2010 }}</ref> In Canada in 2008,<ref name="CIS-2008" /> 36% of all investigations were substantiated, with a further 8% of investigations where maltreatment remained suspected by the worker at the conclusion of the investigation and a further 5% with a risk of future maltreatment. 30% of investigations were unfounded and 17% resulted in no risk of future maltreatment was indicated.
=== United Kingdom === England provides data on substantiations but not reports.<ref name="England data">{{cite web|url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform |title=Children subject to child protection plans – England 2008-2012 |author= NSPCC |publisher= NSPCC Inform |year = 2012}}</ref> In 2012, the UK reports 50,573 children were on child protection registers or subject to a child protection plan: England (42,850), Scotland (2,706), Wales (2,890), Northern Ireland (2,127).<ref name="UK data">{{cite web|url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform |title=Child protection registers statistics/UK 2008-2012 |author= NSPCC |publisher= NSPCC Inform |year = 2012}}</ref>
=== United States === {{Main |Mandatory reporting in the United States}} In the US there was a 2348% increase in hotline calls from 150,000 in 1963 to 3.3 million in 2009.<ref name="MondaleAct"/> In 2011, there were 3.4 million calls.<ref name="NCANDS 1996 to 2011" /> From 1992 to 2009 in the US, substantiated cases of sexual abuse declined 62%, physical abuse decreased 56% and neglect 10%. Although the referrals increase each year, about 1% of the child population is affected by any form of substantiated maltreatment.<ref name="finkelhor">{{cite web |url=http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV203_Updated%20trends%202010%20FINAL_12-19-11.pdf |title=Updated Trends in Child Maltreatment, 2010 |last=Finkelhor |first=David |author2=Lisa Jones |author3=Anne Shuttuch |publisher=University of New Hampshire, Crimes Against Children Research Center |access-date=19 December 2011 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010181838/http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV203_Updated%20trends%202010%20FINAL_12-19-11.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In the US, there are approximately 3.6 million calls each year: 9,000/day, 63,000/week,<ref name="NCANDS 1996 to 2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-maltreatment |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130626172452/http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-maltreatment |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 26, 2013 |title= Annual NCANDS Reports 1996-2011 |author= Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | year = 2013}}</ref> affecting on average 1 out of 10 U.S. families with children under the age of 18 each year (there are 32.2 million such families).<ref name="2010 US Family Census">{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/prod/1/pop/p25-1129.pdf | title = Projections of the Number of Households and Families in the United States: 1995 to 2010, P25-1129 | author = U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census, Table H}}</ref> From 1998 to 2011 there were a total of 43 million hotline calls.<ref name="NCANDS 1996 to 2011" /> Of those substantiated, over half are minor situations and many are situations where the worker thinks something may happen in the future. The largest category was neglect.<ref name="NCANDS 1996 to 2011" />
Each year in the US, approximately 85% of hotline calls either do not warrant investigation or are not substantiated. Approximately 78% of all investigations are unsubstantiated and approximately 22% are substantiated, with around 9% where "alternative responses" are offered in some states, which have a focus on working with the family to address issues rather than confirming maltreatment.<ref name="NCANDS 2009">{{cite web|url= http://archive.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm09/cm09.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121019013908/http://archive.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm09/cm09.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 19, 2012 |title= National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) 2009 Child Maltreatment Report |author= U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau | year = 2010}}</ref>
== Criticism == Originally created to respond to physical abuse, reporting systems in various countries have expanded the reportable incidents, when it was recognised that sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic abuse also have profound impacts on children's wellbeing.<ref name="AIFS submission" /> Critics of investigations into reports of child abuse state that * A child may be wrongfully removed. * Long, repeated interrogations and physical examinations can leave emotional scars. * Even if not removed, there may be ongoing fear, distrust and insecurity. * Long-term foster care can leave lasting psychological scars and do irreparable damage to the parent/child bond. * An accusation of wrongdoing may disrupt a family even if allegations are dismissed.<ref>{{cite journal|year=1991|title=The Dynamic of Shame in Interactions Between Child Protective Services and Families Falsely Accused of Child Abuse|url=http://www.ipt-forensics.com/journal/volume3/j3_2_5.htm|journal=IPT|volume=3|author1=Sabrina Luza|author2=Enrique Ortiz|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> Often threats and an assumption of guilt over innocence lead to feelings of powerlessness, inadequacy, depression, denial of due process and liberties, reputations tarnished and privacy invaded, and legal consequences if assumed guilty.<ref name="paul chill">{{Cite web|ssrn=1886506|title=Burden Of Proof Begone: The Pernicious Effect Of Emergency Removal In Child Protective Proceedings|last=Chill|first=Paul|date=October 2003|website=Social Science Research Network|pages=1–43}}</ref> * There may be economic harm due to the need to obtain legal representation to defend one's self and comply with the requirements demanded of them. Critics state that mandatory reporting may also * overload the child welfare system and increase the tax burden.<ref name="oregonlive">{{cite web |url = http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2012/06/jerry_sandusky_sex_abuse_case.html | title = Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case has states re-examining mandatory reporter laws | author = The Associated Press| date = 2012-06-10 }}</ref> * increase the number of unfounded reports<ref name="dcbar">{{cite web | url = http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/resources/publications/washington_lawyer/june_2012/childabuse.cfm | title = Beyond the Penn State Scandal: Child Abuse Reporting Laws | author = Anna Stolley Persky | access-date = 2012-12-09 | archive-date = 2012-11-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121110053415/http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/resources/publications/washington_lawyer/june_2012/childabuse.cfm | url-status = dead }}</ref> or reports that (due to vague and broad laws) do not merit governmental interference.<ref name="orr">{{cite web|url=http://heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/6882.pdf |title=Policy Study 262 Child Protection at the Crossroads: Child Abuse, Child Protection and Recommendations for Reform |date=1 October 1999 |author=Orr, Susan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524064542/http://heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/6882.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2013 }}</ref> * jeopardize the ability of people, including abused people, to seek medical treatment or maintain a therapeutic relationship, for fear of being reported. * disproportionately affect African-American families.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Practical Guide for Social Workers|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FHiBniv8-GEC|publisher = Springer Publishing Company| date = 2008-12-02|access-date = 2015-05-13|isbn = 9780826117823|first1 = Dr Kenneth Lau|last1 = LCSW|first2 = Ms Kathryn Krase JD|last2 = LCSW|first3 = Mr Richard H. Morse|last3 = LMSW}}</ref> * discourage fellow citizens from taking positive neighborhood action with families in trouble, as they may consider that their responsibilities have been met when they call in an anonymous hotline.<ref name="orr" /> They also state that mandatory reporting laws have had unintended consequences for the accused. Individuals, including juveniles, who have never been convicted of anything may be placed on CPS Central Registries/databases (different from Sex Abuse Registries) for decades, limiting educational and employment opportunities due to background checks.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} There is a 1.2–12.3% recidivism rate (repeat substantiations within 6 months of initial substantiations).<ref name="Report Congress">{{cite web|url=http://archive.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cwo07-10/cwo07-10.pdf|title=Child Welfare Outcomes 2007-2010, Report to Congress|year=2010|author=US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau|access-date=2013-08-22|archive-date=2016-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227030317/http://archive.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cwo07-10/cwo07-10.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some parents who have successfully managed a drug addiction and who are still receiving treatment have been subject to mandatory reporting, even though there was no suspicion of abuse of children or of drugs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/14/metro/push-reimagine-mandated-reporting-increasingly-has-new-question-is-less-not-more-better/ |title=Six years sober, she was still reported for child abuse for taking addiction medication. Is it time to change the rules? |author=Matt Stout |date=June 14, 2023}}</ref>
== See also == * Aiding and abetting * Bystander effect * Child protection * Child abuse * Dark figure of crime * Death of Daniel Valerio * Mandatory reporting in the United States
== References == <references />
== External links == * [https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/manda.pdf An overview of mandated reporting in the United States] * [https://www3.aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect An overview of mandated reporting in Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416092145/https://www3.aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect |date=2015-04-16 }} * [http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/data-and-maps/comparative-data/child-protection/reporting-1 An overview of mandatory reporting in the European Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718104333/http://fra.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/data-and-maps/comparative-data/child-protection/reporting-1 |date=2015-07-18 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandated Reporter}} Category:Child abuse Category:Health law Category:Police informants