Does the protection of vulnerable children require a system of mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect? [An issues paper for the New Zealand Government Green Paper for vulnerable children]
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Description
In this Issues Paper, I raise some key points relevant for any government which is considering its child protection and family welfare policy. In particular, I will raise questions about whether a form of legislative reporting duty is required, and if so, what consequences this has for child protection. The context of child maltreatment - and each form of maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and neglect - is extremely complex, and the overarching question of how to deal with these phenomena involve challenging normative, economic and practical questions. There are no easy or perfect solutions. Nor, often, is there the amount and quality of evidence available on which public policy approaches should be devised. However, from the best evidence about the history of this context, from research conducted in this field, and from the best evidence available about the nature, incidence and effects of different subtypes of maltreatment, some observations can be made which may help to inform deliberations. I outline 10 key issues related to mandatory reporting legislation while being mindful of the New Zealand context. My view, based on both research evidence and a concern to protect and promote children’s interests, and society’s interests, is that reporting laws in some form are necessary and can contribute substantially to child protection and enhancing family and community health and wellbeing. However, they are only one necessary part of a sound child protection system, being a method of tertiary and secondary prevention, and primary prevention efforts must also be prioritised. Moreover, it is essential that if a legislative reporting duty is enacted, it must be designed carefully and implemented soundly, and it must be integrated within a properly resourced child protection and family welfare system.
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ID Code: | 216303 | ||
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Item Type: | Book/Report (Other Report) | ||
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Additional Information: | Report requested by Social Service Providers Aotearoa, for the SSPA Seminar Series on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, New Zealand, February 2012 | ||
Keywords: | Child abuse and neglect, Comparative law, Differential response, Evidence, Law, Mandated reporting laws, Mandatory reporting laws, Social policy | ||
Pure ID: | 57165742 | ||
Divisions: | Past > QUT Faculties & Divisions > Faculty of Education Past > QUT Faculties & Divisions > Faculty of Law Current > Research Centres > Children & Youth Research Centre Current > Research Centres > Commercial & Property Law Research Centre Current > Research Centres > Australian Centre for Health Law Research |
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Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2012 Benjamin Mathews | ||
Copyright Statement: | This work is covered by copyright. Unless the document is being made available under a Creative Commons Licence, you must assume that re-use is limited to personal use and that permission from the copyright owner must be obtained for all other uses. If the document is available under a Creative Commons License (or other specified license) then refer to the Licence for details of permitted re-use. It is a condition of access that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. If you believe that this work infringes copyright please provide details by email to qut.copyright@qut.edu.au | ||
Deposited On: | 06 Nov 2021 07:05 | ||
Last Modified: | 09 Mar 2024 09:38 |
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