I Am a Mandatory Reporter by My Own Choice. Are You?

[MineralMan]

If I know of, or learn of someone who physically or sexually abuses a child, I will report that person to the authorities. Not based on rumors, of course, but on reliable evidence or information.

In every state, some people, including religious leader, teachers and medical workers, are mandatory reporters by law. In a few, everyone is considered to be a mandatory reporter. For me, it is simply part of my ethical compass. I cannot stand by and ignore knowledge that a child is suffering from such abuse, either by strangers, individuals involved with children through their jobs, or even parents. I will not ignore such things, because that would be tantamount to condoning them.

I believe that everyone should be a mandatory reporter. That's necessary because some institutions, including religious organizations, and even individuals, will knowingly cover up and tolerate child sexual and physical abuse.

Children cannot defend themselves. They rely on adults to protect them. We are all responsible for the vulnerable in our society.

[JHan]

1. great op ++++++

[NeoGreen]

2. Who wouldn't be?

Really. Who (what kind of person) would not report reliable/credible evidence of abuse to the authorities?

I'm astonished at the need to even ask the question.

[MineralMan]

3. A surprisingly large number of people would not.

For one reason or another, they will ignore evidence of such abuse to protect either individuals or organizations. They will not report such abuse, even if they know of it directly. Even if the abuser has informed them of it. They will opt to protect a fellow member, worker, union member, associate, or whatever, over the person who is being abused.

I find that unconscionable, but I know it occurs.

[NeoGreen]

7. And what would be an appropriate label(s)...

...for that kind of person?

[MineralMan]

8. Hypocrites? Irresponsible, uncaring persons?

I guess it depends on the circumstances.

[Igel]

17. Perhaps.

Mostly those who assume that members of their tribe are to be supported and justified.

That makes it a human thing: We exculpate our community, finding reasons to justify what they do, minimizing the evidence against them, and giving them the benefit of the doubt when possible; and treat outsiders as enemies, finding reasons to make anything they do bad, interpreting the evidence in the harshest possible light, and denying them any benefit of the doubt when possible. Criticial thinking's purpose is to fight cognitive biases. This is a cognitive bias.

[trotsky]

13. "godly"

At least some people think so.

[NeoGreen]

14. Ouch. (nt)

[trotsky]

4. Some people think their religious beliefs trump reporting laws.

Because they believe their church law is more important than secular law.

[MineralMan]

6. Yes. The cases of that continue to increase, as more investigations are done.

The extent of the problem is beginning to become understood. And yet, some continue to attempt to minimize the seriousness of the problem and to excuse it through "whataboutism" and other logical errors. The public needs to step up its own observations and report situations to the authorities, I think.

Sadly, many child victims never speak up about what has happened, out of fear, shame, threats, or other issues. Often, by the time they speak out, statutes of limitations have expired, preventing prosecution. We need to protect the children by watching for signs of such abuse around us.

[MineralMan]

5. I have reported child abuse only twice in my adult life.

In one case, it was physical abuse, which I personally witnessed. A neighbor physically punished his child in my presence, with the child suffering a broken arm due to his use of excessive force in anger.

In the second case, the abuse was sexual and done by a parent. My information there was not through personally observing the abuse, but in recognizing the signs of such abuse in the behavior of a child who was a patron of the library where I volunteered. I discussed my observations with the head librarian, who watched for those signs as well. The child was a 10-year-old girl who spent entire days in the library after being dropped off by a parent. That was "home-schooling" in the minds of the parent. There were several such children in that library, day after day. The library staff tried to help them learn something while they were there, but had other duties, too.

The head librarian took an interest in the child, and befriended her. Eventually, the child revealed the abuse to the librarian, a very kind and patient woman. She reported it to the Child Protective Services office. Their investigator also interviewed me. The child's father was arrested and convicted of incestuous abuse of a child, and went to prison. Both the head librarian and I were witnesses at that trial.

Those are the only two situations where I have reported something. I haven't encountered any other instances.

[SWBTATTReg]

9. Good for you two...it is sad indeed when the abuser is the child's parent...I hope that the ...

child gets the appropriate therapy and guidance later on in life...this abuse can come back and haunt the child for decades.

I have been lucky that I haven't seen any abuse of this nature, but I have seen how the abuse affects those
later in life. A very sad situation all around.

[MineralMan]

11. Sadly, such abuse is more common than most people realize.

After that particular incident, I did some research and was shocked at the frequency of such abuse. Most of it is never reported or discovered.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Even tho I am retired from the MH field, I still will report abuse.

Not only child abuse, but elder abuse. but I still have concerns that any reports will not be followed up, which is a long long running problem with Depts. of Social Services.

Cal. has a law that you have to report POTENTIAL abuse situations. Have no idea how that is followed thru.

[MineralMan]

12. Thank you for doing that.

Elder abuse is a subject of its own that is too seldom discussed.

[guillaumeb]

15. As a youth volunteer in the 4-H program, I am a mandated reporter.

My wife and I undergo a regular background check as well.

[Act_of_Reparation]

16. No. My employer has mandated me a mandatory reporter.

Because unlike some other employers, mine isn't completely fucking evil.

[Igel]

18. My choice doesn't matter.

I'm a teacher.