Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect by Health Professionals

Scott, Debbie; Fraser, Jennifer

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9685-9_18

Cited by 5 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The finding that infants are the most commonly referred group of children from hospitals is consistent with other studies that suggest that younger children are more likely to be identified as at-risk in healthcare settings 6 15 31. Infants are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious impact of maltreatment on their physical safety and well-being and are more likely to be admitted to hospital for child maltreatment’s most dire consequences, injury and death 13. Maltreatment in the early years has been linked to adverse physical, developmental and mental health outcomes that can reach beyond childhood given the rapidity of brain development 32.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Maltreatment in the early years has been linked to adverse physical, developmental and mental health outcomes that can reach beyond childhood given the rapidity of brain development 32. The findings of this paper further underscore the important role that hospital personnel can play with regard to recognising and responding to maltreatment in the early years, particularly in the absence of school and other early education programmes 13…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…The healthcare system is an important point of contact for potentially maltreated children 13. Within a Canadian child welfare context, referrals from hospital-based personnel (ie, doctor, nurse, social worker) comprise a small proportion of all investigations 9 14.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within a Canadian child welfare context, referrals from hospital-based personnel (ie, doctor, nurse, social worker) comprise a small proportion of all investigations 9 14. The contribution of healthcare professionals to the recognition and reporting of child maltreatment is particularly important for younger children who are typically less visible in the community than school-aged children 13 15 16. Canadian and provincial incidence studies show that hospital-based personnel are the most common referral source of maltreatment-related investigations involving infants 17 18…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maltreatment adversely affects child well-being more often than physical safety 4. Studies exploring the detection of child maltreatment in hospital settings have focused on children presenting with injuries; however, a very small proportion of children who are injured as a result of child maltreatment visit or are admitted to hospital 13 19. In the 2013 cycle of the Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (OIS-2013), physical harm was identified in 5% of cases substantiated for maltreatment; however, medical treatment was required in only 1% of cases 14…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Trends in investigations of abuse or neglect referred by hospital personnel in Ontario

Fallon¹,

Filippelli²,

Joh-Carnella³

et al. 2019

bmjpo

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BackgroundThere is a dearth of literature surrounding mandated reporters to child welfare services in the Canadian context. This paper examines 20 years of reporting patterns from hospitals, which represent 5% of all referrals to child welfare services in Ontario.MethodsThe Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (OIS) is a representative study that has taken place every 5 years since 1993. The OIS is a multistage cluster sample design, intended to produce an estimate of reported child abuse and neglect in the year the study takes place.ResultsThere have been significant changes in referral patterns over time. Hospital referrals in 2013 are more likely to involve a concern of neglect, risk of maltreatment or exposure to intimate partner violence. In 1993, children were more likely to be referred from a hospital for a concern of physical abuse. Between 1993 and 1998, there was a significant drop in the number of sexual abuse investigations referred from a hospital. Hospitals have low rates of substantiation across all of the OIS cycles.ConclusionThis is the first study to examine hospital-based referral patterns in Canada. The relatively low percentage of hospital referrals across the cycles of the OIS is consistent with the extant literature. The findings warrant further discussion and research. This study is foundational for future research that can assist in identifying and developing responses across sectors that meet the complex needs of vulnerable families and that ultimately promote children’s safety and well-being.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Trends in investigations of abuse or neglect referred by hospital personnel in Ontario

Fallon¹,

Filippelli²,

Joh-Carnella³

et al. 2019

bmjpo

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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The Role, Importance and Challenges of Data for a Public Health Model

Scott

Faulkner

2019

Child Maltreatment

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Why is reporting so hard? Barriers to fulfilling the duty to report among community nurses in Israel

Vilensky

Grinberg

Yisaschar-Mekuzas

2022

JCS

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Purpose This study aims to identify the barriers that prevent community nurses in Israel from reporting cases of child maltreatment. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study included interviews of 20 community nurses using questions that focused on the following subjects: knowledge of the law and reporting methods, barriers to reporting and the nurses’ outlook on child abuse. Findings Nurses felt they have a lack of the professional knowledge needed to identify suspicious signs. Furthermore, finding indicates that there is a lack of understanding regarding the term “reasonable suspicion” under the law among nurses, and a lack of familiarity with the postreporting procedure. The duty to report is not, by itself, sufficient to increase the rate of reporting. The training in this area is insufficient. Practical implications Policymakers must formulate clear rules to identify various forms of harm in children and determine the existence of a “reasonable basis” to believe that a crime has been committed among community nurses in Israel so that they can fulfill their legal and moral duty. Originality/value Reporting abuse is a professional duty enshrined in law. The enactment of this law in Israel in 1989 created a new reality, designating a legal and moral obligation, on the part of society in general, as well as professionals, to break the code of silence surrounding child abuse. However, the present findings suggest that the rates of reporting among community nurses remain low. As of yet, no research has been conducted as to why nurses are not reporting suspected cases of abuse in Israel, despite the continued existence of this law.

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Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect by Health Professionals

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Trends in investigations of abuse or neglect referred by hospital personnel in Ontario

Trends in investigations of abuse or neglect referred by hospital personnel in Ontario

The Role, Importance and Challenges of Data for a Public Health Model

Why is reporting so hard? Barriers to fulfilling the duty to report among community nurses in Israel

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