Common Concerns About Reporting

What if I am wrong or unsure about my suspicions?
It is not always easy to believe that there are people who would deliberately hurt or mistreat children. Unfortunately, our reluctance to trust our suspicions and our lack of knowledge about sexual abuse is what often leads us to not respond. It is important to remember that when you make report in good faith on behalf of a child, it is not about accusing someone or investigating for certainty, it is about protecting children and keeping them safe. Determining if something occurred and who did it is the responsibility of Child Protective Services and the police department, not the reporter. You need only to have a reasonable suspicion. Although it may be a difficult call to make, keep in mind the following:

• Any kind of child abuse is against the law and has serious effects on victims.
• Finding out early in the abuse helps a child heal faster, and reduces the long-term effects of the abuse on the child.
• Remember—when a child tells you about abuse, he or she is using a tremendous amount of courage, and is looking to you for help.

Will it be discovered that I made the report?
The identity of anyone who reports abuse will remain confidential to the full extent allowable by law. If there is a court case, the reporting person may be called as a witness or the court may order that the reporter's name be disclosed. This is necessary because only people with firsthand knowledge of the child's situation can provide testimony proving that abuse has occurred.

What happens after I make the report?
For each call child protective services receives, the process begins with screening. If the information indicates possible abuse, a social worker assesses the family situation by getting more in-depth information and determines whether abuse occurred and whether a child is at risk of further harm.

If a child has been abused or neglected, CPS and law enforcement staff decides, with family help if possible, whether the child can be safely left at home. Risk factors, strengths and needs of the child and family are assessed. A safety plan may be developed immediately. Later, the agency and family may develop a plan for agency services.

A case is closed when protective services are no longer needed to keep the child safe. For more information about this see Frequently Asked Questions section: How Does the Child Protective System Work?

How will reporting affect my relationship with the parent or child?
Many people are reluctant to get involved in “other people’s business”. There is a societal belief held by many that what goes on at home is personal. However, when what is going on at home involves the abuse of a child, it becomes difficult to remain silent. Reporting someone you know to child protective services is something many people do not feel good about. As a result, sometimes the people you report will be upset. The decision to report is a difficult one. Many have reservations, feel fear and remain torn about what to do. But remember, reporting can help to stop the abuse. Reporting can and is life altering for some children because stopping the abuse early can help healing and reduce the long term effects of abuse. Doing something about the abuse sends a message to a child that you care.

Should I tell the child that I am making a report?
It is important to be truthful with children, especially about potentially life altering events and situations such as reporting abuse. In most cases, it is helpful to tell the child that you will need to report the abuse to someone whocan help, especially if you are a mandatory reporter. Being truthful helps to restore their sense of power and helps them makes sense out of what often feels like chaos. But how and when you choose to tell a child about reporting should be thought out first. For example, you want to consider whether or not telling the child about reporting poses any safety issues for the child. Another consideration is whether the information you are giving the child is age appropriate, in terms that they can understand and handle emotionally. Keep in mind the child may need additional support to deal with the feelings about what is going on.

What about reporting on my own adult child?
Most grandparents generally love and want to do everything to protect their grandchildren, they also love their adult child or relative they are reporting. There are often unspoken loyalties and expectations regarding the parent/child relationship and although often strained, the relationship often means something to all involved. Many grandparents fear their adult child will cease all contact with them. Their ultimate fear is losing contact with their grandchildren or threats to take back the grandchild, placing the grandchild at risk. In difficult situations like these, it is important to remember that even though it is difficult to report, by reporting you can make a difference to that child. When and how you report, helps to stop the abuse. This can be life altering for some children because stopping the abuse early can help healing and reduce the long term effects of abuse. Doing something about the abuse sends a message to a child that you care.

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