Misconceptions of Reporting Child Abuse
Factors Which Affect the Reporting of Suspected Abuse
Sep 18, 2009
Child abuse has devastating consequences for victims. Depending on its form(s), duration and severity, abuse may affect every aspect of a child's life; it may have consequences that are psychological, physical, behavioural, academic, sexual, interpersonal, self-perceptual or spiritual.
In 2001 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect published a report entitled “Child Maltreatment in Canada” which found that there were an estimated 135,573 child maltreatment investigations in Canada in 1998 - a rate of almost 22 investigations for every 1000 children in Canada. Child welfare workers were able to confirm that the abuse had occurred in almost half (45%) of all cases.
“More than half of Ontarians surveyed would not report suspected child abuse,” says the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies in a September 2005 survey entitled “Use Your Voice.” The reasons for not reporting abuse include not knowing where to call and misconceptions regarding what will happen once a report of known or suspected abuse is made to the police or a child protective services agency.
Myths of Reporting Suspected Abuse
Many people incorrectly believe that:
- By law, abused children must be removed from their homes immediately, which is the least likely outcome.
- Child abuse cannot be reported anonymously. The person reporting abuse is not required to provide his/her name.
- The person reported for abuse is entitled to know who made the report. He is not.
Reasons Given for not Reporting Suspected Abuse
Individuals who witness or suspect that a child is being abused may not report it because they:
- Want to avoid the demands of becoming “involved”
- Have personal views which condone the use of physical punishment
- Believe that the abuse is not “serious”, especially if the child does not have visible or severe injuries
- Believe that reporting the abuse to the authorities is not in the child's best interest
- Believe that reporting may not solve the problem because, for example, there may be a lack of appropriate services to help the child
- Lack knowledge about the signs and symptoms of abuse
Very young children are not able to report violence themselves. In order for prevention of child abuse possible cases must be identified. Often the severe emotional damage to abused children does not surface until adolescence or even later, when many abused children become abusive parents themselves. An adult who was abused as a child often has trouble establishing lasting and stable personal relationships. They are also at higher risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, medical illness and problems at work.
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