Reported Child Abuse Research Articles

Development and Evaluation of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination when Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Development and Evaluation of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination when Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

유아교사의 아동학대 신고에 관한 연구

This study was intended to analyze the early childhood teachers’ awareness of mandatory reporting system and to analyze the affects of related variables on child abuse reporting behavior. Participants were 213 teachers working at kindergarten and preschool(mean age = 65.12 months). It used the ‘’Awareness of the mandatory reporting system’, ‘Knowledge of child abuse’, ‘Awareness and Attitude to Reporting child abuse’, ‘Efficacy of reporting child abuse’, ‘the view of teaching’ and ‘Recognition and behavior of reporting child abuse’ in collection of data. The collected data were analyzed through chi-square and hierarchical regression analysis using the SPSS 21.0 program.. The results of this study indicated that there were partially significant differences among the groups in the teachers’s awareness of mandatory reporting system. Second,. awareness and attitude to reporting child abuse and efficacy of reporting child abus were predict variables affecting the behavior of reporting child abuse.

The Orange Ribbon and the Pitiful Child: Investigating Child Abuse, Family Normativity and the Welfare State in Japan

ABSTRACTFor over 15 years the Japanese government has promoted a national campaign on child abuse awareness and tasked authorities with addressing rising child abuse reports. With an orange ribbon as its symbol, a key aspect of this campaign, alongside casework, is the creation and circulation of visual‐discursive representations of abused children. Drawing on 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork on child protection practice, this paper contextualises the social construction of child abuse by critiquing the cultural and technical logics of abuse and protection discourse. Appeals to vulnerability, rights and duty bridge public and expert fields and position an image of pity as a call to action that drives child abuse prevalence as well as enduring dispositions by the state towards intrafamily normativity and a minimalist welfare state.

The other side of the law: Discrimination and emergency powers

Emergency powers have always posed a threat to the rule of law, particularly standards of legality and respect for individual rights. Although system-wide impacts to legal norms and the rights of the general population continue to pose real dangers, we argue that the most egregious violations of the rule of law in liberal democratic societies in times of emergency now tend to be restricted to historically marginalized groups depicted as disorderly, dysfunctional, or pathological. As exemplified in official responses to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, reports of rampant child abuse in aboriginal communities in Australia’s Northern Territory, and high levels of homicide in Jamaica, emergency powers are often applied in discriminatory ways that reflect and reinforce existing disparities in race, gender, and class. Even when emergency measures are nominally adopted for the entire population, their application is often limited to highly specific geographical areas that place marginalized groups into “zones of otherness.” The result, we argue, is to establish a de facto system of legal pluralism that subjects subordinate groups to enhanced forms of regulation, surveillance, detention, and violence, but generally leaves established legal rules and protections intact for everyone else.

Variability in choosing to report child maltreatment cases by pediatric emergency medicine physicians

BackgroundChild maltreatment is a significant public health problem. Emergency departments are often the first contact points for suspected child maltreatment. Variability in the decision of whether or not to report maltreatment cases to Child Protective Services (CPS) may lead to missed opportunities for diagnosis and intervention or unnecessary medical and social interventions. ObjectiveTo evaluate the variability in choosing to report child maltreatment cases among emergency department physicians. Participantsand Setting: Our survey was conducted on Emergency physicians through the PED-EM-L@LISTSERV.BROWN.EDU listserv MethodsWe queried emergency physicians with a 19-question survey. Seven clinical scenarios were designed by our Pediatric Emergency division in consultation with a child abuse specialist. Scenarios were created with varying degrees of suspicion for child maltreatment. Our survey asked physicians if they would report each case to CPS. We collected demographic information regarding the physician, their work setting, and their patient population. The responses for individual scenarios were analyzed as percentages and compared with demographic data by Fisher's exact test. Our survey received 307 responses. ResultsMost of our 307 respondents are specialized in pediatric emergency medicine (95.6%). Of the seven scenarios, physicians near-unanimously (99.3%, 95% CI 97.9–99.9%) agreed in only one scenario. For the other six scenarios, agreement ranged from 54.4% (95%CI: 48.8–59.9%) to 80.1% (95%CI: 75.4–84.3%). Demographics, including physician age, gender, ethnicity, years of experience, population ethnicity, and hospital location, did not explain variability in choosing to report to CPS. ConclusionOur study shows significant variability in reporting child maltreatment cases, not explained by hospital or physician demographics.

The Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of the Child Abuse Report Intention Scale (CARIS) Questionnaire for Midwives, Along With Factors Associated With Their Intention to Report Child Abuse and Neglect.

Child maltreatment is a serious public health issue with unquestionable short- and long-term consequences. The midwives' role in the prevention, identification, and reporting of child abuse and neglect (CAN) is crucial for children's well-being. The Child Abuse Report Intention Scale (CARIS) questionnaire was designed to measure factors influencing Taiwanese nurses to report child abuse and has been used in many studies worldwide. The purposes of this study were to test the reliability and validity of the Greek version of the CARIS questionnaire and to determine factors associated with the Greek midwives' intention to report suspected CAN. A convenience sample of 70 registered midwives participated in the study from February to June 2023. After forward and backward translation, the participants completed the CARIS questionnaire twice, with a one-week interval, to determine test-retest reliability. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire. Concerning the internal consistency, reliability, and repeatability of the Greek version of the CARIS questionnaire, our results were consistent, stable, and highly reproducible. For the CARIS, Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.549 to 0.810 depending on the subscale, Pearson's statistic ranged from 0.649 to 0.797, while all the paired samples t-tests apart from one were nonsignificant. Concerningthe subscale "Intended Practice Behaviors: Vignettes questions and Respond Options," Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.527 to 0.890 depending on the subscale, Pearson's statistic ranged from 0.803 to 0.850, while all the paired samples t-tests apart from two were nonsignificant. Sixty-six participants (94.2%)had received no CAN training while in midwifery school. Only seven participants (10%) had ever reported suspected CAN, while 12 out of 70 (17%) did not report although they suspected CAN. Thirty-six midwives (51.4%) stated that they did not know how to report CAN cases, and 35 (50.7%) did not have the appropriate resources. Participants had overwhelmingly negative attitudes about child harsh discipline (34.34 of 36), low tolerance towardperpetrators (25.10 of 30), positive attitudes toward the responsibility of reporting suspected CAN (32.60 of 42), moderate knowledge of CAN (6.63 of 13), and increased engagement in reporting severe cases of CAN (32.37 of 40). Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were significantly related to the midwives' intention to report CAN. The Greek version of the CARIS is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to determine reasons influencing midwives' intention to report CAN. One of our key findings was the lack of adequate and appropriate training in dealing with CAN cases, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, that needs to be addressed by health policy makers.

Dimensions of Child Maltreatment in Australians With a History of Out-of-Home Care.

Research suggests that the dimensions of childhood maltreatment (type, age of onset, duration, frequency and perpetrator) play an important role in determining health and wellbeing outcomes, though little information is available on these dimensions for any care experienced cohorts. This study aimed to determine if any variation in maltreatment dimensions were experienced between two subsets of the nationally representative Australian Child Maltreatment Study, both of which reported childhood maltreatment histories: care-experienced (n = 358) and non-care-experienced (n = 4922). Using a series of independent t-tests and chi-square tests, we compared the two groups on seven dimensions (number of maltreatment types, range of maltreatment items, age of onset, duration, frequency, perpetrator number, and perpetrator type) for the five child maltreatment types (physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence). Results showed that the care-experienced group reported a higher intensity of maltreatment, being younger when maltreatment first started, experiencing greater variety of maltreatment types, for longer periods, more times and by more perpetrators than maltreated people with no care experience. We conclude that children and young people in out-of-home care experience maltreatment at a higher intensity than the rest of the population, which has implications for effective treatment.

Causal and common risk pathways linking childhood maltreatment to later intimate partner violence victimization.

Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization are major psychiatric risk factors. Maltreatment substantially increases the likelihood of subsequent IPV victimization, but what drives this association is poorly understood. We analyzed retrospective self-reports of maltreatment and IPV victimization in 12,794 participants (58% women, 42% men) from the Twins Early Development Study at ages 21 and 26 using quantitative genetic methods. We estimated the etiological influences common to maltreatment and IPV, and the effect of maltreatment on IPV beyond such common influences. Participants who reported childhood maltreatment ( ~ 7% of the sample) were 3 times more likely than their peers to also report IPV victimization at age 21, 4 times more likely at 26. The association between maltreatment and IPV was mostly due to environmental influences shared by co-twins (42-43%) and genetic influences (30-33%), as well as nonshared environmental influences (25-27%). The association between maltreatment and IPV was similar for women and men, but its etiology partly differed by sex. Maltreatment had a moderate effect on IPV in phenotypic models (β = 0.25-0.30), decreasing to a small-to-moderate range in causally informative models accounting for their common etiology (β = 0.15-0.21). Risk factors common to maltreatment and IPV victimization are largely familial in origin, environmental and genetic. Even considering common risk factors, experiencing maltreatment may be causally related to subsequent IPV victimization. Interventions promoting safe intimate relationships among young adults exposed to maltreatment are warranted and should address family-level environmental risk and individual-level risk shaped by genetics.

Knowledge, attitude, and experience of dentists toward child abuse and neglect. A cross-sectional study.

Child abuse and neglect can be described as all kinds of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, commercial and/or any other type of exploitation resulting in any potential of causing hurt or an actual form of harm to a child's general health, growth, survival, and dignity. The dentist is in a position to identify physical signs of physical abuse in a child hence, it is important to gauge the knowledge level and perception regarding child abuse and neglect. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in India. This cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based study was conducted on 100 dental practitioners all over India using a pre-validated questionnaire. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Responses received were recorded in an Excel Worksheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square statistical tool using SPSS software (version 21.0). We found that 85% of respondents reported child abuse cases of a physical and sexual nature and 87% had knowledge that law enforcement agencies are responsible for reporting such cases. Also, 56% believed that such cases could be reported using electronic mail while other sources were telephone, letters, or personal intervention. Only 12% were fearful of litigation and 24% were concerned about such exposure to a child. A total of 11% of dentists experienced barriers in reporting such cases while 17% reported with no barriers. Child abuse and neglect are often underreported due to various reasons. This survey has attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experience about child abuse and neglect and has found a few prominent reasons for not reporting such incidents.

CONDUCT OF THE DENTIST IN CASES OF CHILD ABUSE: LITERATURE REVIEW

Violence against children and adolescents is considered a social and public health problem, with high prevalence in recent years and that can manifest itself in several ways. Health professionals, especially dentists (DSs), play a significant role in recognizing and reporting child abuse. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to analyze and discuss the conduct of DSs in these cases. For this purpose, a bibliographic research was carried out, through an exploratory review of the literature. The following databases were used: PubMed, BVS and Google Scholar with the restriction of publication between the years 2019 and 2024 through combinations between the descriptors “Child Abuse” and “Dentistry”. The literature shows that child abuse, including physical, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect, has serious consequences for the child. The dentist has the duty to identify signs of violence, such as oral lesions, and notify the Guardianship Council. Brazilian law requires health professionals to report suspected abuse, even without confirmation. Finally, it was pointed out that the CD plays a crucial role in identifying child abuse. When identifying signs of violence, the professional must immediately notify the authorities, according to the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA). However, to act ethically and legally, it is necessary for the dentist to be properly trained and qualified, overcoming their barriers.

Divergent interpretations of child abuse in legal judgments: perspectives from clinicians and forensic experts

BackgroundChild abuse in Taiwan is a major societal concern that severely affects the well-being of children. Despite the complexity in detecting abuse, reports of child abuse are increasing, evidenced by a rise in cases and heightened awareness. This study utilizes judicial judgments as a lens to understand the varied interpretations of child abuse by clinical and forensic experts and explores the broader epidemiological trends of such abuse within the declining youth population of Taiwan.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study by analyzing official court judgments on child abuse allegations judged from 2008 to 2022 from the online database of Judicial Yuan. Furthermore, the study analyzed demographic factors, injury patterns, and opinions from various experts.ResultsThe results reveal that severe criminal cases of child abuse predominantly involve biological fathers as the primary offenders and physical abuse as the most common form of maltreatment. Victims are typically aged less than 5 years, which frequently leads to an unfavorable prognosis. Analysis also highlights the TEN-4-FACESp acronym as a highly predictive indicator of child abuse and underscores the prevalence of abusive head trauma (AHT). Moreover, the findings emphasize ongoing disparities in opinions between forensic medical examiners and clinical physicians, especially in AHT cases, which potentially influences judicial decisions.ConclusionsIn summary, the study reveals ongoing disagreements between forensic medical examiners and clinical physicians, especially in cases of AHT, which may impact judicial decisions. Promoting consensus through interdisciplinary collaboration and improved communication can aid in revealing the truth in child abuse cases.

Childhood maltreatment, adulthood obesity and incident type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study using UK Biobank

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the association of childhood maltreatment with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adulthood, and whether obesity is a mediator of the latter.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study using UK Biobank data, participants recalled childhood maltreatment. Linear regression, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the associations with body mass index (BMI), obesity, and T2D, adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Decomposition analysis was used to examine the extent to which T2D excess risk was attributed to BMI.ResultsOf the 153,601 participants who completed the childhood maltreatment questions, one-third reported some form of maltreatment. Prevalence of adult obesity and incidence of T2D were higher with the number of reported childhood maltreatment types. People who reported ≥3 types of childhood maltreatment were at higher risk of obesity (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.47–1.63) and incident T2D (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.52–1.80). Excess T2D risk among those reporting maltreatment could be reduced by 39% if their BMI was comparable to participants who had not been maltreated, assuming causality.ConclusionsPeople who recalled maltreatment in childhood are at higher risk of T2D in adulthood, partly due to obesity.

Mixed-method examination of early maladaptive schemas and coping among children at a child advocacy center.

The present study examined (a) the presence of early maladaptive schemas and coping responses in children who have experienced maltreatment, (b) the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and coping responses, and (c) how qualitative findings compare to previous theoretical structures in quantitative studies. There were 100 participants (Mage = 10.72 years, SD = 3.35; 64 girls, 30 boys, six transgender/nonbinary), with 70% identifying as White. Data were collected in collaboration with a community child advocacy center through forensic interviews in cases of reported child abuse. Early maladaptive schemas were assessed using an adapted version of the Dusseldorf Illustrated Schema Questionnaire for Children. Coping responses were assessed using the COPE Inventory. Information about individual and abuse factors was gathered from case reports. Child advocacy center staff completed the measures based on information obtained during forensic interviews. All assessed early maladaptive schemas were endorsed in this sample; children reported an ability to adapt through the use of socially supported and self-sufficient coping responses. Hierarchical cluster analysis examining word similarity within coded texts demonstrated that subjugation and self-sacrifice were most strongly related. This mixed-method study integrating children's voices contributes a new perspective on early maladaptive schemas and coping responses that can provide education to multidisciplinary teams involved in forensic interviews. However, limits to generalizability must be considered given that the sample was derived from one region in the U.S. Midwest. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Maternal History of Childhood Maltreatment and Pregnancy Weight Outcomes.

Childhood maltreatment is associated with elevated adult weight. It is unclear whether this association extends to pregnancy, a critical window for the development of obesity. We examined associations of childhood maltreatment histories with prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain among women who had participated for >20 years in a longitudinal cohort. At age 26-35 years, participants reported childhood maltreatment (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; emotional neglect) and, 5 years later, about prepregnancy weight and gestational weight gain for previous pregnancies (n = 656). Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate associations of maltreatment history with prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain z -scores, adjusting for sociodemographics. We used multivariate imputation by chained equations to adjust outcome measures for misclassification using data from an internal validation study. Before misclassification adjustment, results indicated a higher risk of prepregnancy BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 in women with certain types of maltreatment (e.g., emotional abuse risk ratio = 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.5, 3.7) compared with women without that maltreatment type. After misclassification adjustment, estimates were attenuated but still modestly elevated (e.g., emotional abuse risk ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 2.7). Misclassification-adjusted estimates for maltreatment associations with gestational weight gain z -scores were close to the null and imprecise. Findings suggest an association of maltreatment with prepregnancy BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 but not with high gestational weight gain. Results suggest a potential need for equitable interventions that can support all women, including those with maltreatment histories, as they enter pregnancy.

Evaluation of Pediatricians’Attitudes in Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: A Theoretical Perspective

Evaluation of Pediatricians’Attitudes in Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: A Theoretical Perspective

Attitudes and responses of Victorian paediatric intensive care doctors to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment.

To determine the attitudes and responses of Victorian paediatric intensive care doctors to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment. A prospective study conducted in a 30-bed paediatric intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital using data collected from a questionnaire completed by paediatric intensive care consultants and registrars. The questionnaire covered the following domains - doctors' knowledge of Victorian mandatory reporting legislation, doctors' history of reporting and doctors' current role in the detection and reporting of child maltreatment. The questionnaire was completed by 37 doctors. All but one doctor considered their role in the detection and reporting of all six forms of maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence and grooming to facilitate later sexual activity with a child) very important or somewhat important. Thirty-two percent of doctors did not feel adequately trained to detect child maltreatment while 51% did not feel adequately trained to report maltreatment. If a doctor wanted to make a report to Child Protection about the physical or sexual abuse of a child, only one would likely make Child Protection their first point of contact. Paediatric intensive care doctors show a strong intent to detect and report child maltreatment across a broad range of maltreatment types. Doctors are likely to contact one or more members of a child's care team and/or one or more relevant hospital/community services before making a report to Child Protection about the physical or sexual abuse of a child. Opportunities exist for the further education of doctors in regards to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment.

Examining School Nurses' Knowledge and Confidence Related to Their Intention to Screen for and Report Child Sexual Abuse: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a preventable national public health problem that results in adverse health consequences. Research suggests youth experiencing CSA are often of school age. Screening for early detection of health issues is integral to school nurse (SN) practice. Still, there is little evidence that routine screening when CSA is suspected is occurring in schools, despite recommendations that it should be. Lack of confidence and knowledge related to screening and reporting for CSA contribute to a SN's missed opportunity for early intervention. The aim of this study was to describe SNs' knowledge and self-efficacy associated with screening for and reporting suspected CSA in school settings. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. The Child Abuse Report Intention Scale was sent to over 2,000 members of the National Association of School Nurses. Among SN respondents (N = 123), the main findings showed almost half reported being concerned a youth was experiencing CSA but may have missed identifying it. Self-efficacy and professional responsibility were predictors of SNs' intention to screen as well as knowledge about obvious and serious signs of abuse were predictors of SNs' intention to report in this sample. An educational partnership between forensic nurse examiners and SNs can facilitate improving SNs' knowledge about nonspecific physical and behavioral indicators of abuse that are not overtly obvious. The development of a screening tool specific for use by SNs can empower their confidence to screen by providing a resource for them to use as a guide when they are uncertain about the evidence.

Pet Attachment and Anxiety and Depression in Middle-Aged and Older Women

Understanding how attachment to pets can alleviate depression and anxiety offers valuable insights for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies, particularly for those with insecure attachment styles from childhood trauma. To determine if a close bond with a pet is associated with reduced depression and anxiety, especially among women who experienced childhood abuse. This cross-sectional study involved women who voluntarily enrolled in the Mind Body Study (MBS), a substudy of the Nurses' Health Study II (NHS2) focusing on psychosocial factors. Women reporting childhood abuse were oversampled to capture their psychosocial distress in adulthood. MBS participants were invited to complete comprehensive online questionnaires, which were administered twice (March 2013 and February 2014). Pet attachment measured by Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS). Levels of depression and anxiety (10-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CESD-10]; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K6]; 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]; Crown Crisp Experiential Index phobic anxiety subscale [CCI]), considered individually and combined into an overall z-score measure of anxiety and depression symptoms. A total of 214 women (mean [SD] age, 60.8 [3.9] years) were included; 156 women (72.6%) reported a history of childhood abuse. Of 688 invited MBS participants in 2013, 293 (42.6%) expressed interest; there were 228 completed questionnaires (response rate, 77.8%) in 2013 and 208 questionnaires (response rate, 71.0%) in 2014. LAPS scores were provided by 140 participants (65.4%), 78 (55.7%) for dogs and 46 (32.9%) for cats. Overall higher pet attachment on the LAPS score was significantly associated with lower GAD-7 scores (β = -0.17; 95% CI, -0.29 to -0.06), but there was no association for phobic anxiety or depression. There were no statistically significant associations between cat attachment and depression or anxiety. Higher dog attachment was associated with significantly lower scores in depression (CESD-10: β, -0.47; 95% CI, -0.68 to -0.26; K6: β = -0.42; 95% CI, -0.54 to -0.31), generalized anxiety (GAD-7: β = -0.47; 95% CI, -0.65 to -0.3), and the overall measure of anxiety and depression (z score: β = -0.12; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.08), but there was no association between dog attachment and phobic anxiety (CCI: β = -0.08; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.09). All effect sizes for associations were higher when analyses were restricted to women with a history of childhood abuse. In this explorative cross-sectional study, strong attachment to pets, especially dogs, was associated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms. The favorable association was particularly apparent in women with a history of childhood abuse.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Marital Adjustment: The Role of Personality Development and Resilience Factors

Marital adjustment is a crucial aspect of family life, profoundly influenced by individuals' mental health and past experiences. This study examines the relationship between childhood maltreatment, personality development, and adult marital adjustment. A sample of 385 individuals aged 25 to 40 participated, with data collected through convenience sampling. Utilizing tools such as the Big Five-Personality Inventory (BFI-10), JVQ-R2, Screener Sum Version, Adult Retrospective Form, and Marital Adjustment Test (MAT), the study sought to replicate previous findings regarding the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult mental health. Results indicate a significant association between childhood maltreatment and adult mental health, with implications for marital adjustment. Specifically, individuals reporting childhood maltreatment exhibited greater difficulties in marital adjustment. Furthermore, personality traits were found to be shaped by childhood experiences, with notable correlations observed. Neuroticism demonstrated a negative correlation with marital adjustment, whereas extraversion, openness, and loyalty exhibited positive associations. These findings underscore the complex interplay between early-life experiences, personality development, and adult relationship functioning. Understanding these dynamics can inform interventions aimed at promoting healthy marital adjustment and mitigating the adverse effects of childhood maltreatment on adult mental health.

Contributions of Public Primary School Teachers Socio-Demographic Variables to Child Abuse Reporting Practices in Nigeria

The study analyzed the contributions of public primary school teachers’ socio-demographic variables to child abuse reporting practices in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. These were to examine the contributions of the socio-demographic variables of public primary school teachers to child abuse reporting practices and determine the type of association existing between teachers’ socio-demographic characteristics and child abuse reporting practices in the study area. This research is quantitative and utilizes a cross-sectional research design. The population for the study was all the 1,105 public primary school teachers in Alimosho, Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. The study sample consisted of 314 public primary school teachers in the study area, using a multi-stage sampling technique in four stages. Data collection techniques using questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results showed that the mean age of respondents was 35.89 ± 7.95 years; 72(24.8%) of the respondents were primary five teachers; males were 51.7%; 50% of the respondents were Christians; 49.7% of the respondents had 5-9 years of teaching experience. Also, results showed that religion (X2 = 0.47, p = 0.007), years of teaching experience (X2 = 13.38; p = 0.001), and level of qualification (X2 = 11.21, p = 0.02) varied significantly with respondents’ child reporting practices while respondents age (X2 = 6.99, p = 0.13), gender (X2 = 0.001, p = 0.97), and primary school teachers’ class (X2 = 15.59, p = 0.79) were not significant to child abuse reporting practices.