ERIC Number: EJ991019
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-4021
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Mandated Reporting Thresholds for Community Professionals
Crowell, Kathryn; Levi, Benjamin H.
Child Welfare, v91 n1 p35-53 2012
This study examines how community-based mandated reporters understand and interpret "reasonable suspicion", the standard threshold for mandated reporting of suspected child abuse. Respondents were asked to identify the probability necessary for "suspicion of child abuse" to constitute "reasonable suspicion". Data were analyzed for internal consistency, evidence of a group standard, and associations with professional and educational demographics. There was a 90.4% response rate (1,233/1,364). On both ordinal probability and estimated probability scales, respondents demonstrated wide variability in the thresholds they identified for what constitutes "reasonable suspicion". Comparing individual responses for the two scales, 83% were inconsistent. Responses on the estimated probability scale were correlated with frequency of reporting child abuse, professional background, and prior education on child abuse. Lack of consensus in how community professionals interpret "reasonable suspicion" raises the question of whether more specific training is needed for this threshold to be understood, interpreted, and applied in a consistent manner. (Contains 4 figures and 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Child Abuse, Probability, Surveys, Correlation, Prior Learning, Professional Recognition, Compliance (Legal), Children, Rating Scales, Comparative Analysis, Legal Responsibility, Law Enforcement, Laws
Child Welfare League of America. 1726 M Street NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-688-4200; Fax: 202-833-1689; e-mail: order@cwla.org; Web site: http://www.cwla.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
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