NCJ Number
48995
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
REVISIONS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE REPORTS INVOLVING SCHOOL PERSONNEL AS ALLEGED ABUSERS ARE SUGGESTED, WITH EMPHASIS ON SELF-REGULATION BY SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
Abstract
NEW YORK'S CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE LAW OF 1973 DESIGNATES TEACHERS AS MANDATED REPORTERS OF SUSPECTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE AND AS POTENTIAL SUBJECTS OF SUCH REPORTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT, AS POTENTIAL SUBJECTS, TEACHERS ARE VULNERABLE TO THE WHIMS OF PEOPLE WHO REPORT FOR FOLLY, TO SEEK REVENGE, OR FOR SOME OTHER UNJUSTIFIED REASON. THE MECHANISM USED TO INVESTIGATE AN ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE SITUATION INVOLVING A TEACHER IS SAID TO BE DISRUPTIVE TO SCHOOL OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATION OF A LIAISON PERSON FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ALL PHASES OF THE INVESTIGATION IS RECOMMENDED. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE ALSO URGED NOT TO AUTOMATICALLY DISMISS TEACHERS WHO HAVE ABUSED CHILDREN, BUT RATHER TO CONSIDER EACH CASE INDIVIDUALLY. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT SCHOOL PERSONNEL RARELY MALTREAT OR ABUSE A CHILD INTENTIONALLY. RATHER THE INCIDENT USUALLY IS A SITUATIONAL PHENOMENON ARISING FROM THE PRESSURES ATTRIBUTABLE TO OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS, INSUFFICIENT SUPPORT SERVICES, OR INADEQUATE PERSONNEL SERVICES. ALTERNATIVES TO DISMISSAL -- COUNSELING, INSERVICE TRAINING, ALTERNATIVE CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS -- ARE SUGGESTED. A SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM DEPICTING A COLLABORATIVE CHILD ABUSE/MALTREATMENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION EFFORT INVOLVING SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCIES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)