Frequently
Asked Questions (cont.)
How do I know for certain
that abuse has occurred?
There is no single “test”
that can be given or question asked that will let you know that a child
has been abused. That is why the law requires you to report when you
suspect abuse. Child protection workers will investigate. These investigations
include interviews, observations and corroboration of information by
others.
What if I make a mistake
when I report abuse?
Dr. Kempe, a pioneer in
the field of child abuse, is remembered as saying he would rather apologize
to a parent for making a mistake, then apologize to a brain-damaged
child because he did not report.
What if the abuse occurred
in the past?
There is no time limitation
regarding the reporting of child abuse. If the victim is under the age
of 18, the abuse must be reported.
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