Reminder about being a Madatory Reporter of abuse

[puakinikini]

Sad story out of the Phoenix area. Nothing gets me as upset as child abuse - with the exception of adults not reporting it.

Phoenix dad accused of molesting daughters; 2 pastors arrested for not reporting abuse | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Phoenix News

I'll be interested in other people's perceptions on this, especially those of us who are mandatory reporters through our jobs.

[mum2hba]

How awful. My husband is a mandatory reporter and has had the not so pleasant task of reporting abuse. A teen told him about something that his caregiver had done, nothing on this scope, but it resulted in the caregiver being arrested and the kids being placed in foster care.

[PHmom]

I just cannot believe that they would not report it - especially knowing there was a younger sister in the home! Ugh!

I have, through my job as well, had to report abuse and it literally kept me up nights for a while. Not that I felt bad to report it but that I wouldn't find out what happened with the case. This was physical abuse, not molestation, but it was very clear abuse and we were all appalled and horrified for this poor child. We reported it and never saw the kid or the caregiver again (it was not his mother but another family member) so I have no idea what happened and that has bothered me ever since.

We reported another family and CPS declined to open an investigation but those people still come in so we're still keeping an eye on the kids and may be filing another report in the next few weeks. Some new problems have cropped up and it's looking like there is a possibility of molestation. I wouldn't dream of not reporting it if I absolutely knew for sure! Especially if the scum molester (b/c, yeah, they all are scum IMO) admitted to it right in front of me - I'd probably have a hard time not taking matters into my own hands for that matter, I don't care if he did apologize!

[CW&M Mom]

I am not a mandated reporter...but as a apartment manager previously I called on 2 different families. One mother was living her child with drug dealers as babysitters...that child was removed...and I actually had regular contact with CPS over that child...as they let me know what was going on...and I let them know what was going on (mom had even put the name of the utilities in her son's name...with SS#...so that added to the drama).

The other...CPS did nothing about. The home was disgusting...as in hoarders on TV disgusting. There was rotting garbage (all food)...i'm not kidding...the size of a twin bed in the kitchen...so I called...and cps did nothing...said the kids were old enough to know not to eat the rotting garbage. Called again later...because they were being homeschooled...except mom had a full time job...and there homeschooling involved them playing video games each day.

but at least I called.

The one time I didn't call...even though CPS was already involved...but I could of given them more info on how hectic that household was...and how immature the house hold was...I didn't. I should of. The dad about 18 months later (after they had moved) had left the toddler in the bathtub by herself, so he could play video games...and she drowned. Unfortunately I wasn't surprised

so always call!!! You never know what a difference you can make!

[kval07]

Ugh. This line makes me want to puke:

The pastors told the victim that because the father was repentant, she should forgive him and restore their relationship.

So completely unacceptable. Thank GOD we don't run the country on this line of thinking.

[Lori63]

Definitely. And at my last job if I told my supervisor and she didn't report it to authorities I was still responsible.

Of course, I've also been involved when CPS totally drops the ball-THAT is heartbreaking, to see a kid you KNOW is being abused and she is still in the home.

[faeryedark]

If it's clear-cut yeah, it needs to be reported...not that it does any good sometimes. I've made callas about a girl who is 15 and pregnant to her 24 yr. old boyfriend (it's no secret that they're a couple and nothing has been done)
However, I've seen the flip-side of overzealousness too...so common sense has to be used.

[motherofmolly]

no matter who you are or where you work or what you do with your day, if you know abuse either physical or sexual is going on, you need to report it. if not to cps, then to the police.

those poor kids were probably screaming inside with joy, only for that scream to be muffled by the pastor. how are they to think that anyone would help them.

[supershopper1980]

In some states all citizens are madatory reporters and can be prosecuted for not reporting known abuse. However, whether it is required of you by law or not,if you think/know a child is being abused, please report it.