title: Working with child protective services and law enforcement: what to expect.
abstract: The process whereby a clinician decides that child abuse is a diagnostic possibility is often marked with doubt and fear. Abusive parents can present convincing lies, and children with suspicious injuries can have unusual accidents. Personal thresholds for reporting suspected abuse vary considerably. Clinicians may mistrust or misunderstand the roles and responsibilities of the investigators and legal professionals involved. This article aims to improve understanding of the community responses to a report of child abuse, and enable the clinician to work effectively with child protective services, law enforcement agencies, and legal professionals to ensure child safety and family integrity when appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Center for Miracles, 315 North San Saba, Suite 201, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA. Electronic address: KELLOGGN@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kellogg
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D010290:Parents; D010820:Physicians
keywords: Child protective services; HIPAA; Law enforcement; Reporting child abuse; Testifying