Most people who work with children are considered mandated reporters.
In the United States and some other countries, there is a long list of professionals designated as mandated reporters. Essentially, anyone responsible for, or in contact with, an individual or group at risk of being abused, neglected, or mistreated has a duty to report certain actions to the appropriate authorities. Examples of mandated reporters include teachers, day care providers, doctors, and nursing home staff, among many others. Even those who may not be direct caregivers, such as lawyers and paralegals, often have a duty to report, as do clergy and others who work in their local communities. In many places, it is implied that everyone is a mandatory reporter, while others have specific legal obligations and may be held criminally or civilly liable for failing to meet these responsibilities.
Mandated reporters must report signs of child abuse and maltreatment.
Vulnerable populations are subject to various types of abuse. The abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, or even financial. Some groups that are commonly affected by various forms of abuse include children, the elderly, and people with physical or mental disabilities. The abuse or neglect may be obvious; in many cases, however, it is difficult to detect or cleverly masked by an attacker.
A mandated reporter may be responsible for monitoring the personal welfare of an older person.
Mandatory reporter responsibilities may vary by state or region. The duty to inform may be implicit, given the nature of the profession. In most cases, however, mandated reporter responsibilities are clearly defined in the mandated reporter’s job description. Depending on the profession, training is often provided on methods for detecting and reporting abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. In cases where abuse is suspected or confirmed, a formal written statement is usually sent to the appropriate government agency or law enforcement official.
Mandated reporters must speak up if they believe a child is being emotionally abused by a parent.
Most people who work with children are considered mandated reporters. Underage children do not have the ability or legal standing to defend themselves, so they need mandated reporters to act on their behalf. Those who work in schools or daycare centers, including administrators, counselors, nurses, social workers, and coaches, have a duty to report abuse. They are expected to look for physical signs of abuse as well as non-physical evidence of neglect. Generally speaking, anyone who suspects that a child is at risk of immediate harm should contact law enforcement immediately.
Depending on their general physical and mental health, many older people find themselves in the same position as children. They are often cared for by other adults who can take advantage of their vulnerabilities. Therefore, employees of nursing homes are an example of mandated reporters. In addition to the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse that older people may experience, this group is also especially susceptible to financial abuse. However, mandated reporters may have difficulty proving this type of exploitation.
People who are mentally and physically disabled, and in some way marginalized, regardless of their age, are also vulnerable to the types of abuse mentioned above. Failure to report abuse, neglect, or mistreatment may result in civil and criminal penalties for mandated reporters. Some crimes are considered more serious than others, and individual states or territories often decide the difference between misdemeanors and felonies. In the most serious cases, intentional failure to report can lead to prison sentences and fines for criminal acts and the payment of compensation for civil actions.