Groups concerned at introduction of mandatory reports on abused children

SEVERAL national bodies have expressed concern about the possible introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse

SEVERAL national bodies have expressed concern about the possible introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse. Mandatory reporting would place a legal obligation on teachers, doctors and other designated groups to tell health boards if they believe a child's being or has been abused.

A forum in which the topic can be debated is to be organised by the Minister of State for Health, Mr Austin Currie. It is likely to take place in the autumn, possibly in September.

Those expressing concern include the National Network of Irish Rape Crisis Centres, the National Youth Federation and the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland.

The national network of Irish Rape Crisis Centres says it favours mandatory reporting but in a policy statement, expressed concerns. Services would have to be in place to deal quickly and effectively with abuse reports, it says. Protection should be provided for the person reporting the abuse, especially if the abuse cannot be confirmed.

READ MORE

It points to the situation in the US which has had mandatory reporting since the 1960s. There, the network says, the child protection system is in danger of collapse under the weight of reported abuse cases, two thirds of which were unsubstantiated in 1992.

By contrast, it says, the "Confidential Doctors Bureau" system in the Netherlands and Belgium is a voluntary system by which people can report child abuse allegations to doctors. Through the bureau, they can organise what is considered to be the most suitable intervention and assistance from social services.

"Under this system, up to 90 per cent of incest offenders confess and co operate with a resolution in the best interest of the child," it says, adding that this system "should be thoroughly researched".

The chairman of the National Youth Federation, Mr John Dunne, has expressed similar concerns. Services for children at risk of abuse, speedy investigations and the right of adults to get professional help without having to reveal the identities of their past abusers should all be in place before mandatory reporting is introduced, he said.

The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, supports the present arrangement in post primary schools. There, it is left to the head teacher to be satisfied there are reasonable grounds for an allegation or suspicion of abuse. In such a case, the matter is reported to the health board.

The ASTI says it fears mandatory reporting would lead to an increase in the number of reports and that young people would be less likely to confide in teachers if, for instance, all instances of under age pregnancy had to be reported.