title: Index of suspicion: feeling not believing.
abstract: Throughout the U.S., state laws require professionals who work with children to report cases of suspected child abuse to child protection services. Both practically and conceptually, however, significant problems arise from a lack of clarity regarding the threshold that has been set for reporting. Specifically, there is no consensus as to what constitutes reasonable suspicion, and little direction for how mandated reporters should gauge their legal and professional responsibilities when they harbor suspicion. In this paper we outline the context of the problem, discuss the nature and scope of its conceptual underpinnings, and offer recommendations for moving towards a concrete, practical solution.
authors.affiliation: Depts. of Humanities & Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Bhlevi@psu.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loeben
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004644:Emotions; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D006801:Humans; D019545:Intuition; D007600:Judgment; D019221:Mandatory Reporting / Q000941:ethics; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D024382:Professional Role; D014481:United States