Federal and state mandatory abuse reporting laws went into effect in the US in the 1960s. Abuse may include but is not limited to child abuse, neglect, sexual battery, assault, exploitation and/or abandonment by a parent, caregiver, and/or legal guardian. Although mandated reporting varies from state to state, it generally includes an obligation to report known and suspected mistreatment of vulnerable patients and children.
PROFESSIONAL MANDATED REPORTERS
In most states, Professional Mandated Reporters refers to healthcare professionals such as physicians, medical and/or hospital personnel involved with patient care, mental health professionals, social workers and chaplains. Additionally, this typically includes anyone who is legally obligated to report abuse such as school teachers, nursing home, assisted living, adult day care and departments of regulatory affairs employees.
GENERAL MANDATED REPORTERS
In most states, General Mandated Reporters refers to individuals such as state, county, municipal criminal justice, and law enforcement employees. General Reporting usually requires said person who reasonably suspects abuse in minors, adults, or elders to report this suspicion.
REPORTING
Depending on the jurisdiction, reporting may be done through local, state and county officials, Department of Children and Families as well as local Law Enforcement. Failure to report abuse is considered a felony and/or first-degree misdemeanor in most states (Justice.gov). It is helpful to know that although reporting should be an individual(s) responsibility, it is recommended that the organization establish comprehensive policies and procedures for doing so. A reliable reporting process will help keep the individual safe by streamlining the process, and informing stakeholders alike.
TRAINING
It is important to complete your initial and annual training timely. The training serves as a reminder of how to report and who should be reporting as well as recognizing the signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Stay aware and knowledgeable. Employees should follow the chain of command set in the company policy manual “COVER YOUR INTERNAL POLICY ON ABUSE REPORTING HERE.” All employees of the healthcare organization are expected to complete this training.
ASSESSING
Keep in mind how important comprehensive head to toe assessments are. It paints a picture of the appearance of the patient as well as unusual markings that may be on their anatomy. Abuse injuries don’t always present as a medical emergency, and do not often require medical care.
REFERENCES
Dahlberg, H., Khoo, E., & Skoog, V. (2022). Making Sense of Mandatory Reporting: A Qualitative Study of Reporting Practices from the Perspectives of Schools and Child Welfare Services in Sweden. Social Sciences, 11(7), 273. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/socsci11070273
Hackenberg, E. A. M., Sallinen, V., Handolin, L., & Koljonen, V. (2021). Victims of Severe Intimate Partner Violence Are Left Without Advocacy Intervention in Primary Care Emergency Rooms: A Prospective Observational Study. Journal Interpersonal Violence,
36(15-16):7832-7854. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519837649
Lytle, R. D., Radatz, D. L., Sample, L. L., & Latiolais, R. M. (2021). Do I Report This? Understanding Variation in the Content of State Mandatory Reporting Laws. Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice & Criminology. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/criminaljusticefacpub/104
The United States Department of Justice. Elder Abuse and Elder Financial Exploitation Statutes. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/prosecutors/statutes?page=8
Thomas, R., & Reeves, M. (2022) Mandatory Reporting Laws. National Institute of Health. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560690/
