Is it right not to notify the authorities if you know information about an abused child?

Question

The parents know of the abuse and they don't stop it.I am worried about retalition.

A man is beating a 13 year old with paddles. That is abuse.

Not her parent or part of family.

Answer 1

If you withhold this information you could be an accessory.
IMO, you're as guilty as the abuser if you do nothing.

Answer 2

It depends on what your idea of abuse is. Is the child being burned with cigarettes or just spanked with a flexible leather belt?Are they getting their teeth knocked out? If so that is what I consider abuse. Understand that discipline is different altogether. Just like some people don't stop until they got to prison, whereas others need only probation and a fine to curb their unlawful behaviors. Some kids need to stand in the corner and others need a spanking. I know that you will probably object, but if you don't discipline children they will end up in the hands of authorities. If you turn in the parents, the kids will be worse off if there is no God-fearing individual to care for them. Pray about it.

Answer 3

No, it is not right not to notify the authorities if you know information about an abused child. Imagine if you were the child and you were being hurt, wouldn't you want someone to speak up for you? If you know about it, you could be held as an accessory...so i think you are better off saying something versus keeping your silence. A child's life hangs in the balance.

Answer 4

If you know of an abused child it is your duty to report it to the authorities.

Put yourself in the child's place. If you were helpless to stop the abuse, wouldn't you want someone to help make it stop? Then if years later you found out that someone could have helped make it stop wouldn't you be hurt and angry that the abuse still continued?

You have an obligation to protect those weaker than yourself, those who cannot defend or speak for themselves.

It takes a whole village to raise a child, but only one person to kill a child.

Answer 5

I dont know what the exact statistic is but alot of little children die from child abuse from a parent that has gone too far. Just think if something terrible happens to that child you will have it on your conscience for the rest of your life.

Answer 6

You should turn these people in before it is too late. When a person gets turned in, the child welfare agency will go visit the child at school without the parent even knowing. Then they will visit the home and speak to the parents and all of this is anonymous, so they won't even know it is you. Please help the child.

Answer 7

If you know about child abuse it is wrong to withhold the information.

If you are a teacher, nurse, daycare employee, or anyone who works with or supervises children you are REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT ANY AND ALL CHILD ABUSE. NO EXCEPTIONS. You can be prosecuted as a criminal for failing to report child abuse.

Answer 8

yes - u might want do insist on anonymity as you do not want any negative consequences. I would either try the child's health visitor/ school nurse as 1st port of call before social services and the police are involved - sometimes there can be a short fall in the seriousness of the case to these authoritarians - do you remember victoria climbie??

Answer 9

I think we have a moral obligation to report such abuses. Someone has to speak up for the child.

Answer 10

Technically it is illegal in the U.S. If you have information about a case of child abuse, you are required by law to report it to CPS.