Mandatory Notification of Child Abuse and Neglect: Perspectives From Psychology

Abstract

This comment responds to the primary article by Vanessa Deverson in this volume by giving some insights into the problem of mandatory reporting from the perspective of psychology. Parts I and II provide a survey of the legal and ethical requirements imposed on psychologists to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The article then moves on in Part III to discuss the way that psychologists balance the need to maintain client confidentiality with their duties to report. The article argues that lawyers should have the option to report child abuse and neglect, but warns that, before any reporting of child abuse and neglect can be successful, a vast improvement in the management of notifications is essential.