The obligation to report sexual abuse of miners and incompetents: Theory and practice

Authors
Citation
R. Landau et R. Osmo, The obligation to report sexual abuse of miners and incompetents: Theory and practice, CHILD YOUTH, 21(3), 1999, pp. 239-258
Citations number
29
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Social Work & Social Policy
Journal title
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW
ISSN journal
0190-7409 → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
239 - 258
Database
ISI
SICI code
0190-7409(199903)21:3<239:TOTRSA>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
This article examines social workers' compliance with the law requiring rep orting each case of sexual abuse of children or otherwise incompetent perso ns. In a random representative sample of 212 Israeli social workers, partic ipants were asked to relate to an ethical dilemma concerning sexual abuse. The resolution of the ethical dilemma was measured by choice of one of the following: system oriented decision, client-oriented decision, combined cli ent-system decision, and nonintervention. Participants in the study were al so requested to provide reasons for their choice. The content of the argume nts was analyzed by its relation to the ambiguity of the situation presente d in the ethical dilemma, its relation to comply with the law, and the rela tionship between the reported choice and its argumentation. Moreover, socia l workers' compliance with the law was also analyzed by their field of prac tice. Findings showed that 52% of the social workers would report sexual abuse. T he rate of social workers in the field of child welfare who would report se xual abuse is higher (70%). Among those respondents who gave reasons for th eir decision, only 24% related to the lack of adequate information in the p resented vignette. Seventy one percent of those who explained their choice cited the legal requirement to report, and, of those, 73% evidenced a relat ionship between their reported choice and their reason. The article shows t he ambiguity of the law regarding the obligation to report sexual abuse of children and discusses the implications of the findings for its implementat ion.