Mandatory reporting and adult safeguarding: a rapid realist review

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the concept of mandatory reporting in adult safeguarding in the jurisdictions of Australia, Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Design/methodology/approach A rapid realist evaluation of the literature on this topic was carried out in order to answer the question: "what works, for whom and in what circumstances?” Particular attention was paid to Context(s), Mechanism(s) and Outcome(s) configurations of adult safeguarding reporting systems and processes. Findings The evaluation found a range of arguments for and against mandatory reporting and international variations on the scope and powers of mandatory reporting. Research limitations/implications This review was undertaken in late 2018 so subsequent policy and practice developments will be missing from the evaluation. The evaluation focussed on five jurisdictions therefore, the findings are not necessarily translatable to other contexts. Practical implications Some jurisdictions have introduced mandatory reporting and others are considering doing so. The potential advantages and challenges of introducing mandatory reporting are highlighted. Social implications The introduction of mandatory reporting may offer professionals increased powers to prevent and reduce the abuse of adults, but this could also change the dynamic of relationships within families, and between families and professionals. Originality/value This paper provides an accessible discussion of mandatory reporting across Ireland and internationally which to date has been lacking from the literature.

Primary care nurses’ challenges, opportunities, and facilitators of elder abuse intervention in Malaysia

“…They suggested a non‐obligatory or permissive reporting law should be in place to protect the health professionals from being confronted by the perpetrator. This is consistent with findings in the recent analysis of the mandatory reporting of elder abuse in Australia, Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland which found a range of opinions for and against mandatory reporting (Donnelly, 2019). The provision of mandatory reporting may offer service providers the authority to prevent and reduce elder abuse, but this could also change the dynamic of relationships within families, and between patients and service providers (Dong, 2015).…”

Elder Abuse Detection and Intervention: Challenges for Professionals and Strategies for Engagement From a Canadian Specialist Service

“…Health care providers, including forensic nurses, that encounter EA cases may be legally required to report suspected or identified cases (Lachs & Pillemer, 2015). The actions health care providers should take when they identify EA will vary depending on the laws and regulations of the country and jurisdiction where they work (Donnelly, 2019). Encounters with EA victims can occur in both hospital settings and in the community.…”

“…Victims with mental capacity who disclose. In addition to being aware of mandatory reporting laws applicable to each professional and jurisdiction, there are other considerations when a victim makes a disclosure (Donnelly, 2019;Lachs & Pillemer, 2015). It is important ELDER ABUSE DETECTION AND INTERVENTION that disclosures are responded to supportively.…”

“…In these cases, providers can identify abuse by utilizing indicator-based screening tools during each future encounter with the suspected victim, and facilitate disclosure by providing privacy, support, and information about EA. The health care provider will need to consider mandatory reporting laws that require only reasonable suspicion of abuse to report (Donnelly, 2019;Lachs & Pillemer, 2015).…”

Informal Supporters of Elder Abuse Victims: Who Are They and What Is Their Experience Seeking Help?

“…Research to combat underreporting has primarily focused on the perspective of professionals (i.e., the challenges they experience with screening, detection, and reporting of EA cases; e.g., Killick & Taylor, 2009). Practically, tools have been developed to increase recognition of EA signs and EA evaluation, and countries such as the United States, England, Australia, and Canada have developed mandatory reporting policies to increase professional reporting, with varying scopes (Donnelly, 2019;Lachs & Pillemer, 2015). Less frequently, research on underreporting has focused on the victims' perspectives of helpseeking and the barriers they face (see Fraga Dominguez et al, 2021a for a review).…”