Child Abuse and Neglect: Ethical and Responsible Reporting Guidelines
Protecting children from all forms of harm is a critical moral obligation shared by all members of society, but more so for people in positions of authority. For this purpose, state and federal laws require certain professionals, such as teachers, healthcare workers, lawyers, and other practitioners, to report any signs or suspicions of child abuse and neglect. However, mandated reporters face various ethical and legal challenges arising from issues of confidentiality and informed consent, as well as penalties for false reports and non-compliance. Hence, to mitigate potential risks, staying informed of the current guidelines in reporting child maltreatment is of [...]