A Child Abuse Investigator Offers Tips for Educators

What to Expect When You Report

Mandated reporters often want to know the result of an investigation. Some state and local child welfare agencies will inform mandated reporters of the outcome of a report. In most states, CPS does send a letter to mandated reporters, and may contact them. A family's right to privacy, however, supercedes mandated reporters being privy to confidential investigations-thus the reporter may not be informed of the investigation's findings and may never learn what results from his or her report.

Once a referral is assigned for investigation, CPS will interview the child in a neutral setting, such as the school. If the child is old enough to understand, school personnel should inform her a report will be made to CPS. The child may find it helpful if school personnel explain the reporting process, that the child is not in trouble, the need to ensure her safety, and the teacher's duty to report suspected abuse. What educators decide to convey to parents should be discussed with the investigator and school personnel.

Once the child is interviewed, CPS will contact the family and others who may have additional information about the investigation. CPS is sensitive to the mandated reporter's role and connection to the child. Remember, all reports are kept confidential.

Mandated reporters should understand, however, that federal law requires social service agencies to make reasonable efforts to keep children safe within their families of origin. If the CPS agency determines the child can remain in his home safely while the family receives services, a report of suspected abuse or neglect may not result in a child being removed from the home.

The most important thing educators can do is contact their local child welfare agencies to learn more about state reporting laws and training opportunities for mandated reporters. Knowing when and what to report could save a child from abuse and neglect.

Nancy Duncan, MSW, is a California child abuse investigator who writes about health and psychology. The editor is grateful for the contributions of CWLA Child Protection Program Manager Caren Kaplan to this article.
References

1. Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2001). The Scope and Problem of Child Maltreatment. Washington, DC: Author. Available online at www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/publications/ncanprob.htm.
2. National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. (2001). What Is Child Maltreatment? Washington, DC: Children's Bureau, ACF, HHS.
3. Much of the descriptions of the various forms of abuse come from Cynthia Crosson Tower. (1992). The Role of Educators in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. HHS Publication No. (ACF) 92-30172.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Bureau. (2001). Child Maltreatment 1999: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
5. Judy Purdy. (1998). "Researcher documents psychological casualties of abuse." Athens: University of Georgia. Press release available online at www.newswise.com/articles/1998/5/ABUSE.UGA.html.
6. National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. (2001). What Is Child Maltreatment? Washington, DC: Children's Bureau, ACF, HHS.
7. Debra Ann Poole and D. Stephen Lindsay. (March 2001). "Children's Eyewitness Reports After Exposure to Misinformation From Parents." Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 7 (1), 27-50. Available online at www.apa.org/journals/xap/xap7127.html.

Credits: Children's Voice Article, November 2001