Introduction
The State of California defines child abuse as any bodily injury administered to a child by another person, sexual assault, or emotional distress. The state defines child neglect as careless treatment which affects the welfare or health of a child negatively. Different kinds of child abuse and neglect existing in the State of California include; physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, general, extreme, and exploitation neglect. Cases of child abuse and neglect in the State of California increased significantly between 2020 and 2021, as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. The State of California was ranked among the leading states with more than 60,000 cases. This paper presents a discussion of how to spot a case of child abuse or neglect, how to report the case, and what happens after a case is filed. Understanding the California mandatory reporting laws is crucial for careers of mandatory reporters.
Spotting Evidence of Child Abuse
Child abuse can be spotted by observing the behavioral changes of a child; like the expression of unusual fear of being in physical contact with an adult, inconsistent explanation for a physical injury, inability to recall what inflicted a physical injury, and the disclosure that an injury was administered by another person whether a guardian or parent.
Reporting Child Abuse
The legal process that should be followed when reporting child abuse in California, requires a mandated reporter to make a call to the Police in the city in which the incident happened. The call should be done immediately after spotting the abuse or soonest possible (Zeanah, & Humphreys, 2018). The mandated reporter should also submit a written report in a period of not more than 48 hours to the Police in the city where the case of abuse was spotted.
Aftermath of Filing the Report
Departments of County welfare receive the reports made via the component of emergency response (Zeanah, & Humphreys, 2018). The County department social worker may decide whether the child needs to be placed under short-term foster care programs. A dependency petition is filed to ensure that the child is termed as a dependent of the court. Following next is a detention hearing which approves the child’s removal from his/her home. The occurrence or absence of the abuse or neglect is determined at the jurisdictional hearing stage. If abuse or neglect is found, the court may decide to order reunification of the family during jurisdictional healing (Zeanah, & Humphreys, 2018). Efforts towards reuniting the child and his/her family are usually reviewed after every six months via review hearings. An additional hearing may be held if reunification efforts fail. This is meant to allow permanency planning for the child’s future via placement either in foster care, adoption or guardianship.
Mandated Reporters and What Is Required of Them
A mandated reporter is any person placed in an authoritative position over children. The Act of child abuse and child neglect reporting in California highlights that mandated reporters include educators, psychologists, medical practitioners, members of the clergy, and employees of daycare facilities, among others (Zeanah, & Humphreys, 2018). Mandatory reporters are required to report any cases of actual or suspected abuse to local departments of law enforcement or child welfare services. Cases of sexual harassment or any other physical abuse ought to be reported in line with California laws.
Conclusion
Child abuse is any form of physical or mental harm inflicted to a child, whereas neglect is intentional laxity in child treatment which affects a child’s physical or mental health. Child abuse can be spotted by unexplained body injuries and unusual fear expressed by a child when in contact with an adult. Child neglect can be spotted through poor appearance, negative changes in behavior, and unusual deteriorating health of a child. The discussion has taught me the importance of reporting cases of child abuse and neglect so as to save children from experiencing intentional harm inflicted by adults. Lastly, I have learnt that failure to report cases of child abuse and neglect is punishable to any person referred to as a mandated reporter.
Reference
Zeanah, C. H., & Humphreys, K. L. (2018). Child abuse and neglect.Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(9), 637-644.