Mandated Reporter

[Wife of Spinner]

Ok, I do understand how being a mandated reporter requires nurses to report any forms of abuse. My question is this: How far reaching is this requirement?

Here is the situation that makes me ask this question. My brother (who passed away 4 years ago) had 3 children. My SIL currently lives with my parents as she can not live on her own. She is now involved with another man, and has already had a child by him. She takes my brothers kids over to see him over the weekends. The children are now complaining to my mother, saying they no longer want to go over to the new boyfriends house. When asked why, the oldest replied "because he hits us". My mother then tells me. I live 3000 miles away from the situation, so other than my mother letting me know this, I did not "see" or "hear" anything myself. My mother is trying to gain more information before reporting, however, I feel it should be reported now. Because my mother has told me this, am I now required to do so?

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Technically speaking, I do not feel that the requirement would reach this far. It's not something you've learned about in a professional capacity, you have not witnessed anything, and in fact, you've only heard from a third party what's allegedly been said by the child (sorry, I have to throw the allegedly in there, only because you didn't hear it directly).

Ethically, I am not sure what I would do in your shoes. Obviously if any abuse is present, you'd want it taken care of yesterday. However, it's a scary concept to involve authorities based only on the info you have. I'd err on the side of caution and probably make a phone call if it were me, but I'd do so with a pretty good deal of trepidation....putting the family through that if the suspicion is unfounded could be traumatizing as well.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I'd make a phone call to whatever child protective agency there is where the family lives and/or encourage your mom to do it. The agency can investigate, and is likely used to treading softly until suspicions are more fixed...

Before you do that though, how about calling your sister in law and telling her what's being said, to see what she says about it?

[rn2bnwi, BSN, RN]

regardless of mandation those kids have made a claim of abuse.. i think your mother should make a report. :angryfire I hate that kids have to deal with that

[caliotter3]

I would probably look into it a bit more before making accusations. You need to be responsive to the kids, but should try to determine if their allegations are valid before bringing strife on someone who may be entirely innocent.

[NurseKitten, MSN, RN]

Most states have an anonymous reporting hotline. Florida's is 1-800-96-ABUSE, and it's good for child, sub-capacity adult, elder...whatever. Find out if your state has something like that and make the call.

God forbid, if something were to happen to those kids, and you didn't call...children generally do not lie about such things.

Bless you, and good luck.

[Batman24]

I would talk directly to the children and get more info before reporting but I would talk to them ASAP so if abuse is taking place it doesn't happen one more day.