Potential Reporters of Suspected Child Maltreatment are Sensitive to the Amount of Evidence and the Potential Consequences of Reporting
Date
2022
Authors
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Journal of interpersonal violence
Abstract
The context of suspected maltreatment cases is likely to influence the decision of
whether or not to make a formal report. Across one pilot study (N = 368) and
two experiments (Exp. 1 N = 444; Exp. 2 N =416), undergraduate students and
online community participants reported their anticipated actions and beliefs
when confronted with evidence of child maltreatment. Participants reviewed
case dossiers built from real-world child neglect cases in which increasing levels
of evidence were presented and the consequences of reporting, or not reporting, the maltreatment were made salient to the adult or child. The experiments revealed a clear difficulty in deciding whether or not to report
suspected maltreatment. Highlighting the impact on either the child or the adult
by describing potential consequences moved participants either closer to (childsalient) or farther from (adult-salient) a formal report. Participants were also
sensitive to the amount of evidence to support a suspicion of abuse, which
influenced the likelihood of a formal report. This work suggests that increasing the salience of maltreatment consequences to child victims may increase the
likelihood that suspected maltreatment will be reported.
Description
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Keywords
neglect, child maltreatment, reporting, consequences, perception, International Resources, Canada
Citation
Price, H. L., & Kehn, A. (2022). Potential Reporters of Suspected Child Maltreatment are Sensitive to the Amount of Evidence and the Potential Consequences of Reporting. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 08862605221081934.