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Mandatory reporting of child abuse.

  • 22-07-2010 10:35pm
    #1
    endakenny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭


    In 1998, Bertie Ahern promised that mandatory reporting of child abuse would be introduced in the lifetime of that government. Why has this not happened? What are the arguments against mandatory reporting?


Comments

  • #2
    drkpower
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭drkpower


    What level of suspicion warrants mandatory reporting? An inkling? An outside chance? A possibility? A probability? An overwhelming likelihood? Is there an onus on the reporter to investigate further? If so, how does that onus affect the doctor-patient (parent of patient) relationship?

    Does the reporter face civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings of they fail to report? What effect do you think that will have on the amount of reporting, and in particular, on the amount of false (but honest) reporting?

    Does the reporter (doctor/nurse etc..) have any liability if they get it woefully wrong and falsely accuse someone but acted honestly?

    Does an individual wrongfully suspected have any redress for the massive damage to their reputation caused by an honest but false accusation?

    Lots of difficult questions there. This is not a straightforward area.


  • #3
    endakenny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 956 ✭✭✭endakenny


    drkpower wrote: »
    Lots of difficult questions there. This is not a straightforward area.
    I agree. It's a pity that organisations like One in Four fail to understand this. The obligation to report should apply only to witnesses of abuse, whether they are doctors, nurses, teachers or members of the public.


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