CDC CDC Child Abuse Recognition & Mandated Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which statement about mandated reporting is TRUE?
- You must be 100% certain abuse occurred before reporting
- Good-faith reports made with reasonable suspicion are protected from liability (Correct answer)
- You can be sued if your report turns out to be unfounded
- Only directors, not teachers, are mandated reporters
Correct answer: Good-faith reports made with reasonable suspicion are protected from liability
Mandated reporters who make good-faith reports based on reasonable suspicion are legally protected from civil and criminal liability.
Question 2: What information should be included when making a child abuse report to CPS?
- The child's name, age, address, and nature of suspected abuse (Correct answer)
- Only the child's name and the abuser's identity
- The names of all staff at the facility
- A written confession from the suspected abuser
Correct answer: The child's name, age, address, and nature of suspected abuse
A complete report includes identifying information about the child, their location, and a description of the suspected abuse or neglect observed.
Question 3: What should a childcare provider do if a child discloses abuse during the day?
- Promise the child you will keep it secret
- Listen calmly, believe the child, and report to CPS (Correct answer)
- Confront the suspected abuser immediately
- Wait to see if the child brings it up again
Correct answer: Listen calmly, believe the child, and report to CPS
Providers should listen without judgment, reassure the child they did the right thing by telling, and then report the disclosure to CPS.
Question 4: Which type of abuse involves persistent criticism, rejection, or humiliation of a child?
- Physical abuse
- Neglect
- Emotional/psychological abuse (Correct answer)
- Educational neglect
Correct answer: Emotional/psychological abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse includes actions like constant belittling, threatening, or rejecting a child, which damages their self-worth.
Question 5: A childcare worker sees unexplained marks on a child but is unsure if it is abuse. What should they do?
- Do nothing since they are not certain
- Document the observation and report their suspicion to CPS (Correct answer)
- Ask the alleged abuser directly
- Wait one week to see if more marks appear
Correct answer: Document the observation and report their suspicion to CPS
Mandated reporters are required to report reasonable suspicion, so documenting and reporting promptly is the correct action even without certainty.
Question 6: What is the penalty for a mandated reporter who fails to report suspected child abuse?
- A verbal warning from their director
- Criminal charges, fines, or license revocation depending on state law (Correct answer)
- Only an internal disciplinary review
- No penalty if no harm comes to the child
Correct answer: Criminal charges, fines, or license revocation depending on state law
Failing to report suspected child abuse as a mandated reporter can result in criminal charges, fines, or professional license revocation under most state laws.
CDC CDC Child Abuse Recognition & Mandated Reporting 2
Which statement about mandated reporting is TRUE?