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Myths About Abuse and Reporting |
Topic 6 Page 9 |
Myth: If I make a report and it turns out to be false, then I am liable.
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As long as the report is made in good faith, you cannot be held liable for your report. |
Myth: Abuse is most often committed by strangers.
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Most abuse is committed by someone the victim/survivor knows and trusts. |
Myth: I have to be sure that abuse or neglect is happening to make a report.
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Even if you just suspect child abuse, you are mandated to report. It’s not your responsibility to determine if it is SUBSTANTIATED or TRUE. |
Myth: I have to find out more information, call the parents, and find evidence of abuse and neglect before I make a report.
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You do not have to be sure that abuse or neglect is occurring, nor do you have to be able to prove abuse or neglect. |
Myth: Child abusers are easy to identify.
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Child abusers cannot be easily distinguished from others. They usually are not adults with mental illness or mental disabilities. In fact, many offenders are up-standing community citizens. |
Myth: If child welfare professionals do not take the case, the child will be more vulnerable and my relationship with them will be compromised.
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If child welfare professionals do not take the case, the report will be filed and could be important in compiling information, demonstrating a pattern, and showing support for a future investigation. |
Myth: Child sex offenders are creepy or weird looking
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Child sex offenders usually present themselves very normally. Most will go to work and participate in community life without drawing attention to themselves. |
Myth: Since I see the child daily, I can monitor the child’s health and safety. I will make the report if things seem to get worse or if things are not better before a long break.
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Report suspected child abuse neglect right away! Do not wait until there is a crises to make a report. |
Myth: If I am wrong, child welfare professionals could take away the child and it will be my fault.
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Law enforcement will only remove the child as a last resort. In-Home Services and support to the family are the first options. Child welfare professionals will complete a thorough safety assessment and plan. The decision to remove a child from his or her home is not just based on the information that you share.
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Myth: Women never sexually abuse children.
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Although the majority of child sex offenders are men, women are also known to sexually abuse children. |
Myth: He was sexually abused as a child, so he could not help it.
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Some people who sexually abuse children were themselves sexually abused as children. However most people who have been sexually abused do NOT become sex offenders. |
Myth: It only happened once, and he promised it would never happen again
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It is rare for a sexual offense to be a one-time occurrence, and generally sex offenders are prosecuted for fewer abuses than they have committed. Sex offenders have limited commitment to change as they have already crossed substantial legal, social, and ethical boundaries to commit the offense. Treatment for adult sex offenders, while important, has proven so far to have limited success in preventing re-offending. Treatment for adolescent sex offenders, however, is reaping more positive results. |
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(Unit 1) Topic 6: Child Abuse Awareness * Navigation Menu
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