Report abuse as soon as you suspect it

November 07, 2011

When is it appropriate to report a suspicion of child abuse or neglect? As soon as it comes to your mind.

“My general rule is that if you’re worried that a child is being abused, then that’s when the report should be made to the state hotline,” Dr. Matthew Cox, medical director of the REACH (Referral Evaluation of At Risk Children) Clinic at Children’s, said.

That may seem too rash, but experience has taught Dr. Cox that too many children are harmed because well-meaning people failed to report suspicions. He testified in a case this year that involved a grandfather who failed to report that his grandchildren were being abused.

“The grandfather lived with his daughter, son-in-law, their new baby and their other children,” Dr. Cox said. “His daughter and son-in-law were battering their children. The prosecutor asked him why he didn’t intervene. All he said was, ‘I didn’t think things were right, but I wanted them to learn to be parents on their own.’” 

The consequences of a failure to report can be tragic. From 2006 to 2010, nine percent of all child abuse trauma cases at Children’s resulted in deaths. Those deaths accounted for 35 percent (more than one out of every three) of all trauma deaths at Children’s during that time frame.

Reports of child abuse, which are anonymous, can be made to either Child Protective Services (CPS) or the police. Dr. Cox said the degree of urgency should determine who to contact.

If the situation doesn’t seem urgent (i.e. There is no apparent, imminent threat to the child but you still suspect abuse.) and you know how to track down the child, then call CPS. On the other hand, if the child is in imminent danger (i.e. You have seen the child being abused or suspect he is about to be abused.), then call 911.

“Children need someone else to speak for them,” Dr. Cox said. “Whether that’s a physician or a member of the community, it needs to be done because it saves lives.”