Reasons Why Educators Are Concerned About Child Abuse and Neglect

by Child Welfare Information Gateway

(Page 2 of 10)

The educator has a vital role in identifying, reporting, and preventing child abuse and neglect. Over the last few decades, various organizations have developed programs directed at informing educators that they are a valuable resource. Professionals submitted more than one-half (56.5 percent) of the cases referred to and assessed or investigated by child protective services (CPS), with education personnel the most frequent source of reports (16.2 percent). This highlights the important role of educators and indicates that many educators are already involved in responding to this issue, yet more can be done to address maltreatment. Several studies indicate that many educators are not entirely clear what the indicators of child abuse and neglect are or how to report suspected maltreatment. One study surveyed 2,793 schools to assess staff readiness to report maltreatment. Because only 51 percent of those completing the questionnaire had received training on reporting child maltreatment, there is still much work to be done to alert educators to their important role in identifying and reporting abuse and neglect.

There are many reasons why educators are so vital in identifying, treating, and preventing child maltreatment. First, they have close and consistent contact with children. Second, educators have a professional and legally mandated responsibility for reporting suspected maltreatment. While educators facilitate children's learning, children cannot learn effectively if their attention or energy is sapped by the conflicts inherent in being maltreated. Third, school personnel have a unique opportunity to advocate for children, as well as provide programs and services that can help children and strengthen families. It is important to realize that a positive relationship with a supporting adult may enhance the resiliency of children who have been abused, are at-risk for being abused, or live in a home where no maltreatment occurs but the family experiences other problems, such as substance abuse.

This chapter discusses a variety of reasons why educators must become involved in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect. These reasons are related to:

• Community efforts
• Educational opportunities
• Legal concerns
• Professional responsibilities
• Personal commitments

Community Efforts

Dealing with child abuse and neglect is, in fact, a community effort. As leaders in their communities, educators are often in an ideal position to initiate this type of teamwork. A variety of formal programs involving the schools and the community have been especially effective in addressing the difficult and self-destructive behavior in youth that often is an aftereffect of child abuse.

Model programs use community resources to promote the concepts of cooperation, peer mediation, independence, and acceptance of the common good. A good example of one such community effort took place in a small city and resulted in the conviction for sexual abuse of a popular clergyman who had been involved with a local Boy Scout troop. Once the initial shock had subsided, the church members joined with local school officials and other citizens to address the concerns of the community's children and their parents. Support groups for both the abused boys and the nonabused boys who knew the perpetrator, as well as awareness and educational programs, helped the stunned community recover.

Educational Opportunities

The primary goal of the education system is to teach. In order to achieve this, it is sometimes necessary to remove barriers that impede a child's ability to learn. Every year, millions of dollars are authorized through various legislative acts for this purpose, including the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110), the recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142), which is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA (P.L. 101-476). These laws protect the right of every child to an education and attest to the Nation's commitment to remove barriers to each child's ability to learn. The trauma and residual effects of child abuse and neglect are barriers to learning as much as any type of academic or physical impediment that schools spend so much time addressing.

Educators are trained to recognize and intervene when children are not able to benefit fully from their educational opportunities. This training makes them uniquely qualified to detect indicators that may signify that a child is being maltreated. Since schools are one of the few places in which children are seen almost daily, educators have a chance to see changes in appearance and behavior. From classroom teachers to guidance counselors, as well as social workers, nurses, psychologists, and administrators - everyone becomes an integral part of the educational team to help children.

Legal Concerns

Every State legally mandates that educators report suspected child abuse and neglect. A mandated reporter is anyone required by State law to report maltreatment to the designated State agency. However, some States clearly define that teachers, principals, nurses, and counselors are included in this mandate, while other States designate all school personnel. In addition, almost every State levies a penalty against mandated reporters who choose not to report. This penalty ranges from a fine, a misdemeanor charge, or time spent in jail. Until recently, most States did not strictly enforce these penalties, but this has changed within the last few years. A number of States have sanctioned nonreporters for failing to obey reporting laws, so it is important that educators know the reporting laws for their State.

In addition to penalties for not reporting abuse and neglect, all States provide immunity from civil liability and criminal penalty for mandated reporters who report in good faith. In other words, the law requires educators to report child abuse and neglect, provides protection for those educators who become involved, and penalizes those who fail to meet their obligations.

About the Author

www.childwelfare.gov
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.