Sociology: Child Abuse Disclosure, Reporting, and Legal Aspects

This sociology case study analyzes a scenario involving a child disclosing abuse by his father to an educator. The study emphasizes the educator's role in responding to the disclosure, including communication techniques, ensuring the child's safety, and reporting the incident to relevant authorities. It highlights the importance of sensitivity and adherence to legislative requirements, such as mandatory reporting laws and child protection acts in Australia. The case also touches upon the involvement of agencies and avenues for support, like child and family welfare organizations, and the protection offered to reporters. The study concludes by underlining the need for educators to be well-informed and prepared to handle such sensitive situations effectively, ensuring the child's well-being and adherence to legal protocols. Desklib provides access to similar case studies and solved assignments for students.

RUNNING HEAD: SOCIOLOGY 0
SOCIOLOGY
DIPLOMA OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
8/1/2019

SOCIOLOGY 1
A. Signs and symptoms
The child disclosed that how his father remains angry with him and hits him every
night after dinner. He also showed the bruises on his back to the educator. This was majorly
an impact due to his father’s retrenchment from work and addition of one new member in the
house. This was due to domestic violence and family attitude that was taking a toll.
B. Communication techniques
The educator patiently asked Kaleb of his experience and listened to him carefully
which made the child to trust his educator easily. It helped the educator to ascertain what kind
of abuse it is. The educator also asked for few more details like size and location of injury in
a friendly manner and motivated him by telling him that he is very strong (Ho, Deborah , &
Amie, 2017).
C. Responding to the disclosure
The educator shall be very sensitive while handling child abuse cases. It is the duty of
the educator to make the child feel much protected and to guard him that everyone around
him will protect him against the ill means. Also, the presence of various laws that do not
allow anyone to abuse a child shall be dictated. The educator shall inform the school
authorities of the abuse faced by the child and shall keep him with the staff till an appropriate
action could be taken. The child should be in a safe custody and shall be provided medical
help if and when needed. The measures adopted by the school authorities generally in these
cases shall also be adopted in this case.

SOCIOLOGY 2
D. Reporting the disclosure
The educator shall record every detail in a very delicate manner .The educator shall
include in his report the physical marks on the student body, the mental trauma he is going
through and how urgently he needs help as it is affecting his studies too. The change in his
behaviour and the stress he is unable to manage shall also be reported. The report shall
include the name of the child, age, date of birth, address, abuse description, and child and
parent location. (Dinehart & Maureen, 2015).
E. Legislative requirements
Child protection is an area of public law where authorities intervene due to presence of
allegation or significant risk to a child. There is a mandatory reporting of child abuse cases in
Australian states. There are also several laws that govern child abuse cases such as Children
and Young People Act, 2008 (ACT), Child Family Community Australia, 2016(CFCA),
Child Protection Act, 2004. The negative consequences can be avoided through specified
policies. There are also laws that protect reporter’s identity from disclosure if it is bonafide.
In any civil or criminal proceeding, the reporter cannot be held responsible (Albert, 2017).
F. Agencies and Avenues
The professions most frequently named under mandatory reports are those who deal
with children in the workplace like nurses, doctors, police and teachers (Cook, Joseph,
Julian , & Cheryl, 2017). Suspicions of less severe child abuse and neglect may be referred to
child and family welfare agencies. The dean and board of directors shall come forward in
order to support educator by protecting the person from confidentiality and protection from
legal liability.

SOCIOLOGY 3
Bibliography
Albert, V. (2017). From child abuse to permanency planning: Child welfare services
pathways and placements. Newyork: Routledge.
Cook, A., Joseph, S., Julian , F., & Cheryl, L. (2017). Complex trauma in children and
adolescents. Psychiatric annals , 35(5), 390-398.
Dinehart, L., & Maureen, C. (2015). Knowledge of child abuse and reporting practices
among early care and education providers. Journal of Research in Childhood
Education, 29(4), 429-443.
Ho, G. W., Deborah , A., & Amie, B. (2017). Universal mandatory reporting policies and the
odds of identifying child physical abuse. American journal of public health , 107(5),
709-716.