Mandatory Reporting Essay

In the United States of America all fifty states have statutes making it mandatory for professionals to report suspected or known child abuse (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2017, p. 76). Mandatory Reporting laws require social workers and other professionals such as physicians, nurses and school personnel to report suspected abuse of a child or an elderly individual. These two populations are considered at risk for potential abuse. The Arizona Mandatory Reporting Training states, “any person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of abuse… or neglect…shall immediately report or cause reports to be made…to a peace officer or to child protective services ("ChildHelpInfoCenter - Free Mandatory Reporting Training," n.d.).”

The question becomes what is “reasonable belief?” Reasonable Belief is defined in three categories which are; 1) the child or elderly individual discloses the abuse, 2) the child or elderly individual has unexplained injuries or explanation is not consistent with the injury and 3)
The mandatory reporting law requires social workers to report abuse suspicions to specific protective agencies, not to disclose information to other parties (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2017, p. 76). Only information that is relevant to the abuse can be disclosed to protective agencies. Other intimate details that are unrelated to the abuse must be kept confidential. Professionals that fail to report suspected abuse of a child or elderly individual can be subject to legal prosecution which could result in a misdemeanor or felony charge. In some states, such as Utah, a mandated reporter who fails to make a report when required by law may also be subject to fines and civil liability. Social workers that fail to make a report when required may be subject disciplinary action by the Social Work Licensing