«Mandated journalist». Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/legal/mandated%20reporter. Retrieved 21 September 2022. These standards vary from state to state, but the spirit of the laws is the same; Designated rapporteurs should inform the competent authorities in all cases where they have reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected or that there are conditions at home that may lead to abuse or neglect. In most states, reports are anonymous and there is no impact on reporting («immunity from good faith reporting»), so there is no reason not to play it safe and report any suspicion that could jeopardize a child`s well-being. A report should include at least all known information about suspected abuse or neglect, as well as information on the measures taken to support the child and contact details of the reporter. If a child reveals abuse, be sure to report it to the appropriate authorities after assuring the child that you will believe them and take steps to help. As regards the reporting of infectious diseases, the obligation to notify certain diseases may be regarded as an obligation of the health care provider to the wider community imposed by public policy. Unfortunately, there is significant evidence that many diseases go unreported.
Inadequate reporting is likely multifactorial, but can generally be due to a lack of knowledge about notifiable diseases and confusion with the reporting process in general. [18] Again, a health care provider must be aware of the relevant laws of his or her state. Originally created to respond to physical violence, reporting systems in different countries have begun to develop to address sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and domestic violence. This expansion was accompanied by broader requirements for reporting maltreatment: previously, reports were only submitted when an incident resulted in serious bodily injury, but as definitions changed, minor physical injuries as well as developmental and psychological trauma were also included. [6] Training is generally offered wherever mandatory reporting laws are enforced, covering topics such as identifying abuse and neglect, what to report, how to report it, anonymity, immunity and sanctions. While details vary from state to state, there are journalists mandated to provide security by reporting on alleged abuses. The local Department of Social Services (sometimes called Child Welfare Services or Department of Social Services) reviews the report and determines whether intervention is required. Some States require reporting of other categories of ill-treatment.
For example, Kentucky requires all citizens to report not only allegations of abuse and neglect, but also suspected human trafficking or female genital mutilation of children. [16] Commissioned journalists, who are required by law to report suspected cases of child or adult abuse, are uniquely positioned to protect the most vulnerable populations. If you are a mandated journalist or simply passionate about fighting abuse in your community, we invite you to join the National Association of Mandate Reporters (NAMR) to connect with other mandated registrants, stay up to date on laws and requirements, and take action to end abuse. Join NAMR today. This requirement is based on Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, a 1976 case in which a client revealed to his therapist that he wanted to commit murder. The victim`s family successfully sued the therapist for failing to protect the victim after the client executed his plan. Mandated registrants are required by law to comply with state laws on reporting abuse and neglect. Failure to report is a crime and is classified as a misdemeanor in most states, with specific penalties varying by jurisdiction. They must report even if they are not sure whether the statement is true or not. Commissioned reporters can also be prosecuted under civil law for failing to protect a vulnerable person. Critics argue that mandatory reporting can make the public more vigilant or overburden the child welfare system, which can increase taxpayer dollars and unnecessarily separate children from their parents.
[32] It is anticipated that expanding the list of commissioned registrants or introducing tougher penalties for non-reporting will increase the number of unsubstantiated reports. [33] The duty to report is also criticized for compromising the ability of individuals, including abused individuals, for fear of being reported, seeking medical treatment, or maintaining a therapeutic relationship. There has also been criticism that African-American families are disproportionately affected. [34] The official designation of qualified professions as mandated rapporteurs varies somewhat from state to state. In most cases, however, the definition applies to anyone who works closely with a vulnerable population, such as children or the elderly. These are typically social workers, teachers, health workers, daycare workers, law enforcement, psychiatrists, and other educators and health professionals, although some states believe that all citizens are journalists. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) also offers a comprehensive state-to-state database where you`ll find state laws requiring reporting of children and adults, among other things. Policymakers are also concerned about the emergence of certain infectious diseases, which are considered serious public health problems.