NCJ Number
195601
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 9-23
Date Published
2001
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study compared 56 recently trained physicians and teachers on rates and knowledge of child-abuse reporting and responses to case vignettes of sexual abuse.
Abstract
The Child Abuse Questionnaire, developed by the author, was used to measure demographic features of the participants, details of reporting history, knowledge about and training in child abuse, and two case vignettes of childhood sexual abuse. Participants reported their responses to the situations in the vignettes by choosing from the options. The options were to report to the authorities, report to administration, defer decision to report, wait for more convincing evidence of abuse/neglect, speak to another colleague, and take no action. T-tests showed differences between the groups, with physicians making significantly more reports and assisting in child abuse reporting more often than teachers; however, physicians also come in contact with more children. Overall, the findings show that both physicians and teachers have relatively little knowledge about the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the specific legal requirements of reporting it. Despite the high degree of suspicion of child abuse raised in the two case vignettes, very few of the professionals decided to report suspected abuse. Participants in the study apparently were not aware that they do not make the final determination of abuse. Rather, their mandate is to report suspicion of abuse; child protective workers are then responsible for making the claim of child abuse. Efforts should be made to increase the training of professionals who are mandated to report their suspicions of child abuse, such that they will be able to recognize symptoms of abuse and be aware of the rationale and procedures for reporting such suspicions. 4 tables and 28 references