Lesson One - Concerns
Typical Concerns
The act of reporting child abuse and neglect is one of courageous advocacy, but many of us have concerns that may delay or even prevent us from filing a report. The following represents typical concerns of mandated reporters that the Child Abuse and Neglect Council has heard.
1) The parents are very angry. What if they come after me?
This is a very rare occurence. Many abusive parents lack the social skills to interact positively with other adults. They may yell or even threaten, but rarely go further. It is important to remember that it was concern for the welfare of the child that persuaded us to report, and not concern for oneself.
2) I have no right to intervene in a family’s affairs.
The Michigan Child Protection law gives you the right to protect the child when you suspect child abuse. It may be only way a child and family will find help.
3) I just started working here and my supervisor doesn’t think it’s necessary to report, but I really believe that the child is in danger.
The law requires you to report. The Michigan Child Protection Law also states that employees shall not be dismissed or otherwise penalized for making a report.
4) The last time I reported, the child wasn’t removed and I haven’t heard anything else from FIA. The child is still with his family and his father, in my opinion, is still abusing him. This time I am not even going to bother reporting.
Every case is different and you can’t make any assumptions about the outcome. FIA may be providing family preservation and support services, which may not include the removal of the child. Also, the Michigan Child Protection Law was changed in 1998 to require that mandated reporters be notified of the disposition of an investigation. If your complaint is investigated, you should receive a letter briefly describing the outcome of the investigation.
5) I made a report on a child and FIA said that it wasn’t enough information to conduct a field investigation. I thought I was supposed to report, not investigate.
Your job in reporting is to provide enough pertinent information to FIA so that it may act. Make sure that FIA has the child’s complete name and locating information. It is also important for you to explain why you are suspicious. This sort of information does not require you to “investigate.” It does require that you are organized and ready to answer questions the worker may ask of you.
6) I have all my information organized and I really believe that this child is in an abusive situation. I called FIA and they said that they wouldn’t investigate.
All reporting is an act of advocacy, but this particular issue can make the most concerned reporter question his or her judgement. In this case, you have the option to accept the FIA worker's decision or to go ahead and submit the 3200 report. FIA is required to keep all 3200 reports for a child for ten years or until the youngest child in the family is age 18-which ever comes first. If it is the opinion of FIA that your concern is not related to abuse and does not warrant an investigation, you do have the option of referring the child’s family to a community resource.
7) I might be sued by the parents for making a report, particularly if the child really isn’t being abused.
In the state of Michigan, mandated reporters are immune from civil liability for making a report in good faith where reasonable suspicion exists, even if the abuse and/or neglect is not substantiated.
