NCJ Number
117544
Date Published
1988
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Guidance is provided for State and local officials, professionals, and advocates who seek to improve the reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Abstract
Although the responsibility for receiving and investigating reports of suspected child abuse and neglect is primarily assigned to a single public agency, usually called the Child Protective Service Agency, the protection of children from abuse and neglect is a community concern. Many families reported to child protective service agencies are poor and on welfare. If parents in such families pose any danger to children, protective action is required. Statutory and agency definitions of child abuse and neglect establish reporting responsibilities, and they also determine what reports will be investigated and their disposition. The Federal Child Abuse Act requires the reporting of physical and mental injury under circumstances that indicate the children's health or welfare is threatened or harmed. Forms of child maltreatment include physical abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, physical neglect, abandonment, and psychological abuse. At each stage of decisionmaking, child protective service agencies must consider two interrelated factors, the degree of actual or threatened harm to the child and the certainty of evidence. Both public and professional educations essential in reporting and investigating child abuse and neglect. Guidelines for improved reporting and investigatory decisionmaking are summarized.