Side Bar -The Duty to Report Neglect and Abuse

The law compels a wide range of people who have contact with children to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Such people include doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, and childcare providers. A person who is required to report suspected neglect or abuse may face civil or criminal penalties for failure to do so. In addition, states often encourage the reporting of suspected abuse by others, such as neighbors and family members, through special hot lines. The laws of most states grant immunity to persons who make reports of abuse by granting them immunity from defamation suits by the accused parents if the report is made in good faith. Most states keep central lists of suspected child abuse cases. This helps identify parents who, for example, take their children to different hospitals in order to conceal the evidence that they have repeatedly abused their children.