Child Abuse
Tutorial:
The Role of the Mandated Reporter
When children
are victims of abuse and neglect, they often carry the scars - both physical
and emotional - with them for the rest of their lives. Victims of abuse
and neglect may have difficulty leading productive lives; eventually society,
as well as the individual, pays the price. Each year, hundreds of thousands
of children in the United States are victims of abuse. Given both the
immediate and long term psychological and behavioral difficulties that
victims can suffer, early identification is necessary.
Educators are in a unique position to identify children who may be abused.
Reporting such abuse is an important first step in assisting children
and preventing future occurrences. Early detection can stop further harm
to children and help families get the assistance they need. Child abuse
prevention is everyone's concern. Professional involvement in the identification
and reporting of child abuse is a legal requirement.
