Mandatory reporting laws in the U.S. require human service professionals, lawyers, and other practitioners to report known or suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. However, mandated reporters are often confronted with myriad of legal and ethical dilemmas rooting from the opposing principles when negotiating the individual rights of children and parents. Thus, it is essential that practitioners have an in-depth understanding of the governing legal and ethical guidelines for the mandated reporting of child abuse cases to avoid red flags.
