Professionals to Report Abuse & Trauma
The identification of facts of abuse and trauma against minors who are students and pupils of educational organizations and organizations that perform functions to protect the rights of the child. This happens regardless of the form of ownership and also applies to preschool children who are not covered by a preschool organization (McKenna & Holtfreter, 2020). The report is prepared during yard tours, visits, and the reception of citizens, as well as the consideration of appeals from individuals and legal entities by employees of various bodies and organizations (Kanel, 2019). These include education, internal affairs, health, social protection of the population, and employees of other local executive bodies, organizations, and institutions.
Institutional Reporting
The fundamental characteristic of institutional reporting, as defined by it, is the principle of complexity. It means an integrated approach to the use of once-entered information across various legal areas, in different legal systems, and in various parts and meters of the primary document. Institutional reporting is not a set of legal, non-legal, or corporate reporting (McKenna & Holtfreter, 2020).
It is the result of institutional reporting, that is, the presentation of information collected, accounted for, and summarized in the integrated accounting system. The assessment of institutional reporting includes some indicators(McKenna & Holtfreter, 2020). These include the availability of entities authorized to provide appropriate assistance and the ability of victims of domestic violence to contact them.
Standards & Guidelines for Making a Report
The report must provide information about the date and time of the abuse and trauma, as well as the place of the crime. It should be described in detail, indicating at what address it occurred, in which room, who was there, and where they were standing. Next, the report should describe the event of the abuse and trauma and indicate the witnesses, if any(McKenna & Holtfreter, 2020).
The report must contain the full names of witnesses, where they were at the time of the crime, what they saw or heard, and what they can confirm. In addition, the victim must fill out a statement to the police and the investigative committee about the abuse and trauma. To do this, the victim must first undergo a medical examination. It will help to prove that abuse and trauma took place (James, 2020). The victim must also be provided with physical evidence, if available. The results of the medical examination, a photo, and a description of the physical evidence should be attached to the report.
Privilege Communication
The legal right of persons to maintain the confidentiality of their conversations with counselors in court contexts is known as privileged communication. A social worker should create a trusting atmosphere in which a victim of abuse and trauma can feel comfortable and safe. It is essential to establish confidentiality and explain that the information received from the victim will be used solely to assist (James, 2020). It will not be disclosed without her consent, except in cases where there is a threat to life or safety (Kanel, 2019). Thus, privileged communication applies to reporting, as it protects the victim from the abuser during court proceedings.
Including Reporter’s Name
The reporter should include their name, and they must be required in the case of a single case of trauma and abuse. In the case of mass violence by one person, the name of the victim may not be required (James, 2020). At the same time, the Committee on Family, Women, and Children’s Issues urges not to disclose personal information about victims of trauma and abuse (James, 2020). This kind of data is often found on social networks, in media publications, or in reports on trials.
However, the mere disclosure of data concerning victims violates the norms of international conventions and national legislation. Therefore, when requesting a report by journalists, it is necessary to prohibit them from giving names and surnames, addresses, photos, and other personal information concerning women, children, and men who have been subjected to trauma and abuse (Kanel, 2019). This subsequently leads to reproaches and harassment of the relatives of victims and perpetrators of crimes, and especially children of persons who have been subjected to trauma and abuse (McKenna & Holtfreter, 2020). Therefore, although it is necessary to indicate the names of the victims in the report, only authorized persons should have access to it.
Disclosing Reporter’s Identity
Disclosure of the reporter’s identity is possible only if there is sufficient evidence that they, as well as their close relatives or loved ones, are threatened with violence, destruction, or damage to property or other dangerous illegal acts. The recommendations on the position of the victim in the framework of criminal law and criminal procedure protect against the disclosure of any facts that may unreasonably affect the victim’s privacy or offend the victim’s dignity (James, 2020). For these purposes, modern telecommunications methods, such as face masking or voice modification, can be used (James, 2020). The lack of implementation of these measures and, thus, the disclosure of the reporter’s identity is allowed only with the court’s permission, taking into account the observance of the rights of the defense.
Laws Related to Reporting
Laws related to reporting in Massachusetts obligate government agencies and institutions to take care of victims of domestic violence and provide them with the necessary support, including counseling, medical, and legal assistance. The Massachusetts Law also defines the concepts of protective prescription and preventive conversation before a report is compiled (Kanel, 2019). Beatings and minor harm to health, such as bruises and fractures of limbs, are criminal offenses under the articles, so the police are allowed to investigate such cases, in the case of a report, collect evidence, and send it to court.
Hypothetical Case
A hypothetical case in which I would be required to report abuse or neglect is whether neighborhood children have signs that they are being physically or sexually abused in the family. For example, I would notice that the child has signs of damage, such as burns, bruises, open wounds, and fractures. They are exhausted, try to avoid contact with others, and are easily frightened (Kanel, 2019).
Moreover, the screams and crying of a child would be heard from the neighbor’s apartment. This would allow me to understand that the situation is critical, and there is a threat to the life and health of the child. The procedures I would follow in doing so are writing a report to the police and the guardianship authorities at the place of residence, or calling a helpline to a crisis center (McKenna & Holtfreter, 2020). I would describe the time and place of the abuse, as well as who it is allegedly committed against, and would ask them to check the presence of abuse at this address.
References
James, C. (2020). Towards trauma-informed legal practice: A review. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 27(2), 275-299.
Kanel, K. (2019). A guide to crisis intervention (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
McKenna, N. C., & Holtfreter, K. (2020). Trauma-informed courts: A review and integration of justice perspectives and gender responsiveness. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 14(6), 1-21.