Child Abuse: How To Report It And Professional Ethics - Essay Example

Name Course Tutor Institution Introduction Child abuse is the maltreatment of a child physically or emotionally. Most abuse is found at child’s home. In this case, the physical abuse refers to a violent behavior by an adult towards a child. The behavior may involve striking, punching, bruising, slapping just to name a few. Many people tend to have a problem in differentiating between child abuse and child discipline. Child abuse results to lies, lack of trust by the affected child, fear and the child trying to get revenge. To help a child, professionals have to know the source of the abuse which is an important tool used to find a solution. There are different effects accompanied with physical child abuse like bruises, broken bones or sometimes it might be fatal. Long term exposure to child abuse may lead to improper brain development. Most of this child abuse is related to parental rights which are as a result of an abusive parent. This has been one of the challenging dilemmas faced by ethics. A child involved in an abuse poses ethical concerns of lack of confidence. Usually the victims are unable to report the matter to the authorities. This is out of fear and being naive. However professional bodies and provincial jurisdictions made exclusion to fulfill the requirement of confidentiality in assistance of a child abuse as per the law in Canada. Medical professions like doctors, mental health workers and therapists have to encourage confidentiality of their patients they attend to. On the other hand, medical professionals either by law or by the standards of professional ethics, must involve the individual concern to disclose there personal information. Confidentially of professionals, who suspect that the abuse is likely to occur again and again, tend to report to the local authorities that deal with children protection. When the report is made to the authorities, it gives the professions confidence to make a report even when the parent or the child are against it. In case of suspected abuse, a medical profession is required to testify in courts even if the family and the child instruct contrary. ( Derek,355.) In Canada, laws of child welfare calls that all the suspected cases of child abuse must be properly investigated and if there is a need for child’s protection. If found that the child needs help, the welfare may respond by either counseling the child, removing him (permanently or temporarily) from his/her home or the abuser be taken a way. Criminal endorsement of physical abuse may be applied. In the early 1960, various steps have been taken place in addressing child abuse. Some of them are; child abuse registry creation, introducing laws of mandatory reporting and establishing protection agencies for children. (James, 283) Given coverage for child abuse- with the complexity of child abuse as well as its impact to Canadians, effectiveness of preventing child abuse response and identifying its major cause has been an important task. While addressing this issue, it is important to ensure that there is commitment and cooperation of community members with the with Canadian policy makers. Jurisdictions introduced systems of mandated reporters such as teachers, medical professions, individuals, health workers and many others. They were required by Canadian law to report immediately with reasonable suspicions to the welfare authorities’ concerning the child abuse. Failure to report meant that the reporters are likely to face criminal charges. Professional anatomy is undermined to carry out his duty when it comes to the mandated reporter system. In this case, as a medical professional, it becomes mandatory to report even when he/she does not feel like doing so or believes making of the report is of less interest of the victim. For instance, Casey Brighton had to make a report since he had suspicions of bruises on Jimmy Hutchison’s body even if Jimmy’s father (Gerald Hutchison) is the suspected a busier. Though such situations have pose a great impact to ethical conflict that occurs between Casey Brighton’s duty to report and duty to protect Jimmy Hutchison. Casey has to consider that even though he had to report the matter, it should not have an element that will embarrass or harm the family. He also has to maintain the family relations. Casey Brighton has various objectives to carry out a research that will guide him on how to report to the children welfare authorities. These objectives are; he should be familiar with the recommendation and guidelines response of laws involving mandated reporting, examine on how and when to report the suspicions, be ware of the consequences accompanied with the reporting, Understand law of suspicions of child maltreatment of the country, examine emotional responses of a bused child (Jimmy Hutchison) and be able to protect him. Casey has to keep in mind that interviewing Jimmy might be difficult. If possible he might seek help from people who are friendly to the child. Casey will like to find out why Gerald Hutchison claimed that Jimmy fell from bed while the bruises could be seen from a distance. Yet he has been the family pharmacists over years and was able to administer treatment to the rest of the family members. The laws of provincial jurisdiction are preliminary when it comes to child abuses. The law protects the child from all ways that may lead to more abuses. It requires punishment to those who abuse children equally or higher, as for the abuse to an adult, considering the fact that children are defenseless. Media and schools need to inform children on child abuse, rights and where the child may seek help. The laws have to protect a child and set their standards. The protection should be from the start to the end. Incase the pharmacist report it is not mandatory to proof the child abuse, he is required to give report as well as information towards his suspicions. Casey’s understanding of the law well helps him to know the child welfare authority thus provide proper security for Jimmy. Helping Jimmy Hutchison, Casey Brighton has to find a way of approaching him. Casey has to know that it is his duty to make a difference in Jimmy Hutchison’s life. Casey Brighton’s report is based on suspicion; he first has to talk to the abused child (Jimmy Hutchison). While talking to him, he should reassure him calm and support. At a certain point, it might be difficult talking to Jimmy and the child might have difficulty of understanding the topic. It is therefore Casey’s duty to provide him help in whichever way and also reassure him. Reassuring Jimmy, Casey has to let him know that it is not his fault and what he says is taken seriously. Casey has to let Jimmy explain himself without interrogating or asking leading questions. He is not supposed to react to the news as shocking since it will be figured out as denial to Jimmy. Casey Brighton has to know his safety and that of Jimmy Hutchison’s incase of threats from Gerald Hutchison (Jimmy’s father). Casey reporting of his suspicions on the abused child (Jimmy Hutchison) is critical because he has to provide him with the needed help. Many times people are reluctant to cases of child abuse. To them they don’t want to be involved in families’ matters. Casey understanding of myths of reporting may put his mind at ease and find it appropriate to report the matter to the relevant authorities. Some of the myths include: not interfering with Gerald Hutchison’s family in terms of relationships and self-esteem, support needed for parental classes and management of anger and the awareness of the busier on his reporting Casey being the family pharmacist over years, he is very familiar with them. Noticing bruises on Jimmy may be evidence of his suspicion. On reporting the matter, Casey will submit the information about Jimmy. The information includes the child’s name, age, language, address, and the family circumstance of which he is a ware of. He has to give reasons as to why he believes that Jimmy is physically abused. In this case, he can describe the bruises on the child’s body as an indicator. The protective worker has to know, if the family of the child has taken any action to protect the child, though the father claim that Jimmy fell from the bed. Casey has to explain to the protective worker that he has been the family pharmacist for 15 years. He may provide other information concerning the child if relevant. When Casey provides such information, the protective worker will carry out his or her investigations. The reporting has to be made immediately to the police on suspicions of the child abuse. Many child protective services are linked to the police to deal with child abuse. The police will work with Casey while investigating his suspicions. There should be no confrontation even if the father is the one who is abusive. Casey should let proper authorities and police to do their work. He should not be directly involved since it may lead to child’s emotional reactions hence causing violence or interfere with the investigations. The social worker if well informed he/she will look into the matter and determine the best way on how to respond into the well being of the child. These responses are, not taking any action and referring the victim to the support services. (Rachel, 107) Jimmy’s family response will be needed for fewer allegations of the abuse. He will work closely with the protective social worker. These responses are based on supportive approach and time limitation. It contributes in strengthening the family and in providing the family support services while monitoring child’s safety. When the investigations of the abuse are over, social worker will make a decision thus conduct investigations of the abuse. Prosecutions and investigations involving child abuse become sensitive in most if not all children’s feeling. The possibility of Children and Family Development Ministry together with the relevant authorities helps in reducing anxiety and interviews of the abused child. Casey has to continuously check up on Jimmy if an action has to be taken and if the abuser (Gerald Hutchison) is found guilty, he should pay for it. He should be supportive to Jimmy only when it is appropriate for him to do so. The child is to be reassured by Casey that he is valued by him and make him understand that he is not to blame for anything. The child will require counseling and support to minimize more effects. Other family members may need guidance and help from Casey for them to manage the family crisis of the abused child. The child may fear because the crime is committed within the family. Casey should not disclose the report to any other person apart from the authorities against the child’s will. He should know that there are no limitations to the child abuse occurrence in Canada. Whether it took place for weeks or months, the offender will be charged. If Casey is fully convinced that Jimmy has been an abused Child, Community and Family act of section 14 requires him to report to Children and Family Development ministry. This being based on his suspicions of the child being abused and that he might be at risk. Incase that there is no enough security, a lawyer may be conducted. He can report either by calling or by going to the authorities. He can dial 310.1234 even without the area code in BC or visit ministry offices of Children and Family Development of that region. If he report allegations of serious abuse or neglect, the social worker may decide to conduct a child abuse investigation. If only the allegations involve physical abuse ( Nicholas,108) Conclusion It becomes a challenge for a health worker to find the main source of bruises. It is important for him to differentiate between an accident and abusive injury in order to help the child and prevent more injuries. In most cases and more specifically in suspected child abuse, provision of documentary report becomes an objective. The mandated reporters such as doctors, pharmacists, physician and psychologists are to provide report on abuses. Reporting of abuses is important in a child well being. Child abuses are at its peak but there is more awareness through education .many people are still recovering from child abuses. The investigations of child abuse and the precautions are very sensitive to the affected child .There should be minimized interviews and reduction of anxiety of children. More educative centers should however be established. References Connie Burrows Horton and Tracy K, Cruse, Child abuse and neglect: the school's response, Guilford Press. Canada. 2001. Frank R. Ascione & Phil Arkow, Child abuse, domestic violence, and animal abuse: linking the circles of compassion for prevention and intervention, Purdue University Press, New York. 2002. Etienne G. Krug & World Health Organization, World report on violence and health, PublisherWorld Health Organization, New York. 2002. Nicholas A. Vacc & Larry C. Loesch, Professional orientation to counseling, Psychology Press .California. 2000. Ann Duffy &Julianne Momirov, Family violence: a Canadian introduction. James Lorimer & Company.New York. 1997. Rachel Calam, Cristina Franchi, Child abuse and its consequences, CUP Archive. New York.1987 James R. P. Ogloff& Regina A. Schuller, Introduction to psychology and law: Canadian perspectives, Publisher University of Toronto Press. New York. 2001. Alfred Kadushin, Judith A. Martin &James McGloin, Child abuse--an interactional event. Columbia University Press. New York.1981. Derek Truscott & Kenneth H. Crook, Ethics for the practice of psychology in Canada. University of Alberta. New York. , 2004 Read More