Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter 4E

An accurate response to child abuse starts with an adequate recognition of signals. Knowledge is a crucial link. Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter gives a complete overview of the different appearances of child abuse based upon a comprehensive description of several topics, including etiology, epidemiology, differential diagnosis, interventions and prevention strategies. At the same time this textbook shows us the dilemmas and thresholds caregivers encounter in the evaluation of these complex cases. Therefore, this book is an excellent resource for the mandated reporter responsible for making critical judgments. It’s a hands-on support in deciding whether or not to report in order to decrease ongoing and escalating episodes of abuse as well as false accusations.

Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter is a “must have” item for the library or bookshelf of every mandated reporter. With the consequences of failure to report suspected child abuse highlighted by the media, we are all much more aware that failure to act is, in itself, a rising concern among professionals and the public. This book, with chapters covering all aspects of abuse and neglect, will guide mandated reporters through the identification, reporting, and investigative phases of the protective service process. This added information will reduce the anxiety felt by many professionals when the time comes to make the call to report suspected abuse or neglect and serve to support them as they work with investigative and social service staff to ensure that children are protected from harm. I applaud the authors for their thoroughness and their ability to address the complexities involved in reporting abuse and neglect.

The new 4th edition of Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter is an important contribution to the field of child abuse and neglect that is very different from the many other texts written for this discipline. It provides guidance and tools for professionals of all disciplines mandated to report rather than focusing on a single discipline. This interprofessional textbook on identifying and intervening in cases of suspected child abuse and neglect provides a holistic approach that helps us understand our responsibilities and importance of working as an interprofessional team. As a family physician, we often treat both the perpetrator and the victim, putting us in an awkward position. Having the tools to address the issue and report cases of suspected abuse or neglect is crucial in caring for these children, preventing the sequelae of abuse, and even better, intervening before the abuse happens based on identifying a high-risk situation.

This book offers common ground information to all individuals that associate with children and may one day find themselves in the position of suspecting abuse. Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter, Fourth Edition, begins with chapters that address the different recognized types of child maltreatment including physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect and abandonment. Issues specific to medical child abuse and the especially vulnerable population of children with special healthcare needs are addressed in other chapters. A particularly important chapter on the juncture of intimate partner violence and child maltreatment is given much needed attention. Another chapter discusses the use of current popular cultural media and the associated risks to children. Law enforcement, social service, and legal and advocacy responses are addressed in individual chapters as well. The effects of child maltreatment on the lives of these children will illustrate the importance of the final chapter which concentrates on prevention efforts. The chapters together should give the reader good insight into the recognition and reporting of child maltreatment.

Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter, Fourth Edition provides an uncomplicated look at the complex issues of child protection faced by all disciplines. The book’s contributors are a virtual “Who’s Who” in the field of Child Abuse and Neglect. Not only are we provided with charts and lists to assist us in our assessments, but we are also provided with specific references to additional literature on the various forms of child maltreatment. This is particularly helpful in understanding the ever-changing risks affecting our children in today’s environment. You are provided with a firm foundation of knowledge, easily applied to real life situations, designed for you to make the right choices, for the right reasons.

Being a final-year medical student, my biggest concern about becoming a qualified doctor is missing red flags and there are few worse than missed cases of child abuse. Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter is a comprehensive literature review on the various types of abuse, how to spot them and how they can be treated/prevented.
I would recommend the book to anyone working with children: there are chapters relevant to various professionals involved with children. The writing style of the book means that even the layperson could understand and learn from it. Personally, I discovered gaps in my knowledge with regards to the more modern forms of abuse, such as the use of ‘malware tactics’ in online resources. I am sure that I will come back to this book during my practice to ensure that I do my best to never miss the red flag of child abuse.