The laws that American’s abide by today in the United States raise another concern. The laws that are in effect now limit who can report they have suspicion of child abuse or neglect. In a few states, any person who has suspicion of child abuse is required to report it (“Child Abuse: Should Child Services Agents and the General Public Be Held More Accountable for Instances of Child Abuse?” par. 7). Letting any individual who suspects child abuse in physical, emotional or sexual forms report these suspicions is helpful (“Encyclopedia: Child Abuse and Neglect” par. 3). Many cases that would go unnoticed by child service agents or law enforcement are brought to attention. The individuals that are around these children that are being abused are the individuals who should be reporting the suspicion of child abuse. There are 48 states with laws forcing certain careers to report child abuse (“Child Abuse: Should Child Services Agents and the General Public Be Held More Accountable for Instances of Child Abuse?” par. 7). Laws like these set boundaries for individuals outside of the careers to report child abuse or neglect.
Laws are designed to protect citizens. The laws in place now focus on keeping child service agents responsible for a child’s safety. Law enforcement and ones who developed the current law believe these individuals are the only ones who truly understand and know when to report child abuse and neglect. Supporters of the current laws that are enforced assert that child service agents and other professions are qualified to report child abuse, unlike the average individual. An executive director of the Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania Debra Schilling Wolfe, acknowledges that only a little over 27 percent of professional reports of child abuse and neglect are found to be true (“Child Abuse: Should Child Services Agents and the General Public Be Held More Accountable for Instances of Child Abuse?” par. 45). Professionals also can misunderstand a situation of a child being abused. Visible signs of abuse like burns and bruises, should be indications of abuse that professional or not can see (Doheny par. 13). Bringing more attention to child abuse and neglect from individuals and professionals together can save more lives.
Laws are designed to protect citizens. The laws in place now focus on keeping child service agents responsible for a child’s safety. Law enforcement and ones who developed the current law believe these individuals are the only ones who truly understand and know when to report child abuse and neglect. Supporters of the current laws that are enforced assert that child service agents and other professions are qualified to report child abuse, unlike the average individual. An executive director of the Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania Debra Schilling Wolfe, acknowledges that only a little over 27 percent of professional reports of child abuse and neglect are found to be true (“Child Abuse: Should Child Services Agents and the General Public Be Held More Accountable for Instances of Child Abuse?” par. 45). Professionals also can misunderstand a situation of a child being abused. Visible signs of abuse like burns and bruises, should be indications of abuse that professional or not can see (Doheny par. 13). Bringing more attention to child abuse and neglect from individuals and professionals together can save more lives.