Mandated Reporter Scenarios: Child Abuse Reporting Quiz

1. What is the appropriate next step for the teacher after informing the Site Supervisor about suspected child abuse?

B. Yes, she needs to call the father to ask if he hit his child with a belt.

A. No, since she informed the Site Supervisor there is nothing more to do.

D. Yes, she should ignore the situation and not get further involved.

Ensuring CPS is called is the responsibility of all Mandated Reporters who have knowledge of a child’s suspected abuse. You cannot hand-off the responsibility to someone else, even your supervisor. Always follow up to ensure the call and written report to CPS was made.

Explanation

Ensuring CPS is called is the responsibility of all Mandated Reporters who have knowledge of a child’s suspected abuse. You cannot hand-off the responsibility to someone else, even your supervisor. Always follow up to ensure the call and written report to CPS was made.

2. Why is it important to be alert to behavioral indicators of sexual abuse?

Because children may try to protect their abuser

Answer: d

Because the signs of sexual abuse are always obvious

Because children who are being sexually abused frequently develop coping mechanisms and behaviors

Being alert to behavioral indicators of sexual abuse is important because fear, shame, or a sense of responsibility may prevent children from reporting sexual abuse, children who are being sexually abused frequently develop coping mechanisms and behaviors, and children may try to protect their abuser.

Explanation

Being alert to behavioral indicators of sexual abuse is important because fear, shame, or a sense of responsibility may prevent children from reporting sexual abuse, children who are being sexually abused frequently develop coping mechanisms and behaviors, and children may try to protect their abuser.

3. If you are unsure about whether or not to make a child abuse report, you should:

A

C

D

Answer: b

When unsure about making a child abuse report, it is important to consult with your local child protection agency as they are trained to handle such situations appropriately.

Explanation

When unsure about making a child abuse report, it is important to consult with your local child protection agency as they are trained to handle such situations appropriately.

4. You are a program director. A child in your program comes to you complaining about a toothache. You call the mother, who agrees to take the child to a dentist. Several weeks later the child again comes to your office, and this time the tooth is obviously abscessed. You again call the mother who says she could not get a dental appointment. You assist the parent in making an appointment for the next day with a dentist that works with your program. The mother cancels the appointment. Three days later the child still has not received treatment, and now is presenting with a fever and severe swelling. What would you do?

Ignore the situation and hope it gets better on its own.

Answer: This is physical neglect and is reportable to CPS.

Have the child wait until it is absolutely necessary to seek medical treatment.

Encourage the parent to try harder to get an appointment with a dentist.

5. What are some indicators of emotional abuse?

D

B

A

Answer: e

Emotional abuse can manifest in various ways, including behavioral problems, speech disorders, developmental delays, and cruelty towards others. Therefore, options a, b, and d are all indicators of emotional abuse.

Explanation

Emotional abuse can manifest in various ways, including behavioral problems, speech disorders, developmental delays, and cruelty towards others. Therefore, options a, b, and d are all indicators of emotional abuse.

6. Which of the following would be the best question to ask a child about a suspicious injury that you have observed?

It is important to ask open-ended questions that allow the child to freely express themselves without feeling pressured or influenced. This approach helps in gathering accurate information and understanding the situation from the child's perspective.

Explanation

It is important to ask open-ended questions that allow the child to freely express themselves without feeling pressured or influenced. This approach helps in gathering accurate information and understanding the situation from the child's perspective.