Nursing Professionalism
Topic 1 DQ 3

Who Must Report

The state of Georgia maintains a list of those who are required to report, this includes employees and volunteers of any organization that provides care, treatment, education, training, supervision, coaching, counseling, recreational programs, or shelter to children. Are included in this description. As a result, companies must teach their staff as well as any volunteers. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you must report to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

Child abuse and neglect have a significant impact on the lives of many children across the United States and worldwide. To prevent incidents of child abuse or neglect there are laws in place that mandate reporting to the proper authorities. When it is suspected that a child or a child being subjected to harm or knows of conditions that would result in harm to the child, it must be reported. Mandatory reporting is designed to bring the state’s protective services to the awareness of situations in order to avoid abuse, safeguard and enhance the welfare of children, and maintain family life as much as possible. There are several routes to report abuse, via phone, email, fax or online no later than 24 hours of incident. In Georga’s case, it is criminal to knowingly and willfully fail to report suspected abuse and one can be charged with a misdemeanor. Georgia offers mandated reporters training for free to help individuals to recognize early signs of abuse and or neglect. Primary: 1-855-CHILD (+1 855-422-4453) Fax: (229) 317-9663

Scenario

Karen is the mother of two children ages four and eight who is in a physically abusive relationship. Her partner is a substance abuser and have use drugs in the presence of the children. The authorities were called to the home for a domestic disturbance. They discover drugs paraphernalia in the family room, and the children were present in the home. Karen endorsed to the authorities that her partner assaulted her.

Reference

Mandated reporting. Georgia Office of the Child Advocate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2021, from https://oca.georgia.gov/training/mandated-reporting .

In Arizona, there are separate statutes for mandatory reporting of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults and minors. It is clearly defined in both statutes that nurses have a legal obligation to report any instances where there is reasonable suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation as well as instances where there is a disclosure of abuse, neglect, or exploitation by a vulnerable adult or minor (Duty to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, 1986/2020; Duty to report abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor, 1976/2020). Nurses can report to law enforcement or other appropriate agencies such as adult protective services (APS) or child protective services (CPS) as well as tribal law enforcement or social services (Duty to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, 1986/2020; Duty to report abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor, 1976/2020). Failure to report under either statute is a class 1 misdemeanor and can result in fines and up to 6 months in jail (Duty to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, 1986/2020; Duty to report abuse, injury, or neglect of a minor, 1976/2020). ARS § 13-3620, which specifically applies to minors also stipulates certain “reportable offenses” which, if unreported by a mandatory reporter, is a class 6 felony (Duty to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, 1986/2020).

Scenario

You are working in the ED and caring for a 15-year-old who is complaining of abdominal pain. When her mother leaves the room to make a phone call, the patient confides in you that she may be pregnant. She tells you that she and her soccer coach, a 26-year-old male, are in love and have been having sex for about a month. The patient begs you not to tell her mother because she knows her mother will be angry with her. The patient tells you that her coach has promised to marry her and that he will take care of her.

Previous | Next