A Child Abuse Investigator Offers Tips for Educators

Educators should be guided by their school's internal administrative policies for reporting abuse. Sometimes, however, these polices can be confusing. Some schools, for example, encourage educators to report suspected abuse internally before contacting CPS. Nevertheless, state and federal laws mandate educators to report suspected child maltreatment-allowing school administrators to determine if a teacher's suspicions should be reported is unlawful. Because educators are not trained investigators, it is especially important for them to report suspected maltreatment and not assume the responsibility of determining whether a child has been abused.

The teacher's first concern lies in what is reportable and defining what constitutes abuse. The response, of course, is any reasonable suspicion that child abuse or neglect has occurred-but then, what constitutes "reasonable"? Since teachers form intimate bonds with children and families, their doubts are understandable. Identifying signs of child abuse can be confusing and awkward for educators and school staff. Suspicious signs of abuse generally are just that-suspicious-leaving teachers in a double bind of uncertainty.

Once an investigation begins, teachers express fear that the child will be subject to further abuse and severely punished for confiding the truth. A teacher for 33 years in California, "Loraine," says, "What happens to a child once they return home [or they] are not removed? Teachers worry about the results of CPS intervention." Like many teachers, Loraine, admits her first rule is do no harm. "If it looks like CPS won't do anything, a teacher may not report. It happens."

Though state laws vary, teachers need to remember that reports of child abuse are strictly confidential to protect mandated reporters. Investigators can be jailed and fined for violating confidentiality laws. Professionals from a variety of fields are mandated to report suspected abuse. Who must report? Nurses, doctors, dentists, mental health professionals, social workers, teachers, photo lab developers, day care workers, foster parents, and law enforcement, to name a few. Some states require anyone who suspects child abuse to report.

Credits: Children's Voice Article, November 2001