Correction to: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting Laws on Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Intersectionality, Help-Seeking and the Need for Change

Abstract

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The sample size in Figure 1 was misreported as n=2,322. The correct sample size should be n=168. Each person icon represents 10% of respondents to the question.

Beyond Mandated Reporting: Debunking Assumptions to Support Children and Families

“…Finally, supporters of MR claim that it ultimately helps to prevent and/or treat child maltreatment (CAPTA, 1974;USDHHS, 2018). In actuality, MR creates barriers for families to access holistic support free from surveillance and punishment, hindering them from receiving the kinds of services that would truly prevent and treat harm (Fong, 2019;Jordan & Pritchard, 2018;Lippy et al, 2016;Lippy et al, 2020;Mack, 2021;McTavish et al, 2017;Rise & TakeRoot Justice, 2021;Rivaux et al, 2008;Roberts, 2002;Strozier et al, 2005). MR calls often lead to the removal of children from their homes, compounding trauma to families; in cases where families are kept together after they are reported, the FPS provides services that are often ineffective, incongruent with families' needs, and/or harmful to families (Burton & Montauban, 2022;Corvo et al, 2009;Henry et al, 2020;HRW, 2022;Mack, 2021;Rise & TakeRoot Justice, 2021;Sangoi, 2020;Victor et al, 2021).…”

“…MR can also be inherently detrimental to families' abilities to access the limited treatment and prevention services that are available outside of FPS intervention that would help them to prevent harm to their children (Fong, 2019;Jordan & Pritchard, 2018;Lippy et al, 2016;Lippy et al, 2020;Rise & Takeroot Justice, 2021). A 2016 study of 82 mothers who had contact with the FPS found that women would proactively decline welfare, shelter, school, and medical services to avoid contact with reporters and the FPS; when they did seek out these services, they would withhold information about their needs, stresses, and parenting practices to avoid being reported (Fong, 2019).…”

“…A 2016 study of 82 mothers who had contact with the FPS found that women would proactively decline welfare, shelter, school, and medical services to avoid contact with reporters and the FPS; when they did seek out these services, they would withhold information about their needs, stresses, and parenting practices to avoid being reported (Fong, 2019). A growing body of research also demonstrates that DV survivors avoid seeking help from necessary services or minimize what they share with providers because of fear that disclosing their experience would lead to a child maltreatment report Jordan & Pritchard, 2018;Lippy et al, 2016;Lippy et al, 2020). A 2018 study found that 36% of women who had accessed services from Kentucky DV shelters would be less likely to seek help from DV services, and the majority (63.6%) would be less likely to reach out to a nurse, doctor, or therapist if they knew a report would be made (Jordan & Pritchard, 2018).…”

“…In 2020, reporters made over 3.9 million referrals to child welfare hotlines nationally (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [USDHHS] et al, 2020). While MR is considered to be critical for identifying, preventing, and treating child abuse, research has yet to corroborate its effectiveness; instead, literature since the early 2000s points to extensive and alarming negative consequences associated with MR (Burton & Montauban, 2021;CWIG, 2019a;Hixenbaugh et al, 2022;HRW, 2022;Jordan & Pritchard, 2018;Lippy et al, 2016;Lippy et al, 2020;McTavish et al, 2017;Melton, 2005;& Rise & TakeRoot Justice, 2021;Roberts, 2012;Sangoi, 2020;Strozier et al, 2005;Williams, 2020b).…”

Development and Validation of the Scale of Attitudes about Seeking Formal Help in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

“…There is also an indication that Black and Latina IPV survivors are less likely than Whites to seek formal help (Flicker et al, 2011) due to structural barriers. The low rates of help-seeking among women of color may be due to threats of law enforcement and child welfare system involvement and societal norms deprecating their experiences of violence (Lippy et al, 2020). The lack of service engagement is concerning because services can improve survivors' well-being (Cardenas et al, 2021) and decrease the likelihood of revictimization.…”