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BACKGROUND: Health care providers are a key source of reports of infants to child welfare related to birthing peoples substance use. Many of these reports are overreports, or reports that exceed what is legally mandated, and reflect racial bias. We developed and evaluated a webinar for health professionals to address overreporting related to birthing peoples substance use. METHODS: This evaluation study collected data from health professionals registering to participate in a professional education webinar about pregnancy, substance use, and child welfare reporting. It collected baseline data upon webinar registration, immediate post-webinar data, and 6 month follow-up data. Differences in both pre-post-and 6 month follow-up data were used to examine changes from before to after the webinars in beliefs, attitudes, and practices related to pregnant and birthing people who use drugs and child welfare reporting. RESULTS: 592 nurses, social workers, physicians, public health professionals, and other health professionals completed the baseline survey. More than half of those completing the baseline survey (n = 307, 52%) completed one or both follow-up surveys. We observed statistically significant changes in five of the eleven opioid attitudes/beliefs and in four of the nine child welfare attitudes/beliefs from baseline to follow-ups, and few changes in control statements, i.e. beliefs we did not expect to change based on webinar participation. All of the changes were in the direction of less support for child welfare reporting. In particular, the proportion agreeing with the main evaluation outcome of I would rather err on the side of overreporting to child welfare than underreporting to child welfare decreased from 41% at baseline to 28% and 31% post-webinar and at 6-month follow up (p = 0.001). In addition, fewer participants endorsed reporting everyone at the 6 month follow-up than at baseline (12% to 22%) and more participants endorsed reporting no one at the 6-month follow-up than at baseline (28% to 18%), p = 0.013. CONCLUSIONS: Webinars on the legal, scientific, and ethical aspects of reporting that are co-developed with people with lived experience may be a path to reducing health professional overreporting to child welfare related to birthing peoples substance use.

Mandatory reporting, a cornerstone of child protection, is intended to safeguard the welfare of children; however, the existing framework often fails to adequately consider the diverse needs and circumstances of marginalized families. This article highlights the need for greater attention related to reporting cases of suspected child maltreatment and advocates for a paradigm shift in training psychologists, highlighting diversity and multicultural competence as integral components. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature, we shine a critical light on systemic failures of the child welfare system for marginalized families, including families of color and those living in poverty. When contemplating reporting, we urge trainees to consider how reporting bias might influence accurate reporting and highlight the importance of distinguishing between poverty and neglect. Through the application of a case example, we provide a nuanced discussion of an ethical decision-making process grounded in research that considers psychologists' legal and ethical responsibilities with particular attention to diversity variables. We conclude the article by providing teaching and training recommendations pursuant to the ethical and legal ramifications of mandatory reporting. The recommendations embrace ethical principles and prioritize diversity in mandatory reporting practices for a more just and equitable approach to child protection. Public Significance Statement: This article advances ethical decision-making training practices by increasing awareness of the often unaddressed nuances in cases of suspected child maltreatment. Psychologists, in their roles as supervisors and educators, can heed the recommended classroom activities and ethical decision-making process presented in this article to ensure a more sound ethical decision-making process while minimizing bias and risk of harm to clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. Healthcare providers can play a crucial role in reporting cases of IPV or suspected IPV injuries to the police or the criminal justice system, commonly referred to as mandatory reporting. However, mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence (MR-IPV) is a debated topic that can pose complex challenges for healthcare providers. This underscores the importance of training programs to ensure that healthcare providers can fulfill their MR-IPV obligations. Methods: We developed an educational intervention on MR-IPV and assessed its impact on healthcare providers' knowledge and attitudes. The study used a pre- and post-test design with three measurement points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and six months later (T2). The intervention was conducted at a university college in Norway, with data collected between October 2022 and May 2023. The intervention was delivered to 37 healthcare providers who were currently part-time students in mental healthcare. Changes in knowledge and attitudes between T0 and T1, and T0 and T2 were analyzed through nonparametric tests on related samples using the Marginal homogeneity (Stuart–Maxwell) test. Risk differences (RD), along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated for selected categories. Results: The number of participants knowing the MR law increased from 2.9% at baseline to 62.9% at T1 (RD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41—0.79) and to 31.4% at T2 (RD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.46). The number of participants reporting knowing relevant criteria increased from 0.0% at baseline to 68.6% at T1 (RD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50–0.87) and to 34.3% at T2 (RD = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16—0.53). We observed several persistent changes in healthcare providers' attitudes towards MR, including finding MR to be a useful instrument and generally complying with MR requirements. Conclusions: The findings suggest that this educational intervention can have a positive impact on healthcare providers' attitudes and compliance with MR-IPV. Before the intervention, few participants reported knowing the MR law and its application criteria, demonstrating the importance of continuous learning and evidence-based training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the attitudes and responses of Victorian paediatric intensive care doctors to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As rates of substance use during pregnancy persist, the health and optimal development of infants with prenatal substance exposure remain a key priority. Nurses are tasked with identifying and reporting suspected cases of child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, which is often assumed to be synonymous with substance use during pregnancy. While policies aimed at protecting infants from child abuse and neglect are well intentioned, literature regarding the short-and long-term social and legal implications of mandatory reporting policies is emerging. Purpose: In this article, we explore the intersections between the condition of substance use in pregnancy and policies related to mandatory reporting. Methods: We provide an overview of historical and current trends in mandatory reporting policies for nurses related to substance use in pregnancy and related ethical and social implications for mother-infant dyads. Results: Nurses often function at the intersection of healthcare and social services, underscoring the important role they play in advocating for ethical and equitable care for both members of the mother-infant dyad affected by substance use. Implications for Practice and Research: We offer recommendations for practice including the integration of respectful care and family-centered support for the mother-infant dyad affected by substance use. Cross-sectoral collaborations, inclusive of the family, are important to the advancement of evidence-based and equity-focused research, advocacy, and policy initiatives to support familial preservation and reduce mother-infant separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the relationship between institutional-level factors and perceptions of campus climate and rates of sexual misconduct reporting to Title IX coordinators and in Annual Security reports. Data is drawn from public 4-year institutions of higher education (IHEs), community colleges, and independent IHEs in Maryland (n = 42) from 2018 to 2020. Regarding institutional level factors, higher residentiality, higher percentages of graduate students and students supported by Pell grants, and higher rates of alcohol and drug use violations were associated with higher rates of sexual misconduct reporting. On campus climate measures, only higher percentages of students reporting they know whom to contact to report sexual misconduct was associated with increased reporting. Implications for sexual misconduct prevention training and the integration of alcohol and drug use prevention into sexual misconduct prevention education are discussed. Directions for future research are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. Healthcare providers can play a crucial role in reporting cases of IPV or suspected IPV injuries to the police or the criminal justice system, commonly referred to as mandatory reporting. However, mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence (MR-IPV) is a debated topic that can pose complex challenges for healthcare providers. This underscores the importance of training programs to ensure that healthcare providers can fulfill their MR-IPV obligations. Methods We developed an educational intervention on MR-IPV and assessed its impact on healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitudes. The study used a pre- and post-test design with three measurement points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and six months later (T2). The intervention was conducted at a university college in Norway, with data collected between October 2022 and May 2023. The intervention was delivered to 37 healthcare providers who were currently part-time students in mental healthcare. Changes in knowledge and attitudes between T0 and T1, and T0 and T2 were analyzed through nonparametric tests on related samples using the Marginal homogeneity (Stuart–Maxwell) test. Risk differences (RD), along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated for selected categories. Results The number of participants knowing the MR law increased from 2.9% at baseline to 62.9% at T1 (RD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41—0.79) and to 31.4% at T2 (RD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.46). The number of participants reporting knowing relevant criteria increased from 0.0% at baseline to 68.6% at T1 (RD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50–0.87) and to 34.3% at T2 (RD = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16—0.53). We observed several persistent changes in healthcare providers' attitudes towards MR, including finding MR to be a useful instrument and generally complying with MR requirements. Conclusions The findings suggest that this educational intervention can have a positive impact on healthcare providers' attitudes and compliance with MR-IPV. Before the intervention, few participants reported knowing the MR law and its application criteria, demonstrating the importance of continuous learning and evidence-based training programs.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms for reporting child maltreatment (CM) were affected by changes in service provision immediately following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in counts and CPS reporting of CM medical encounters before and after the onset of COVID-19. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: All emergency department and inpatient medical encounters with at least one CM diagnosis during the study period at Rady Childrens Hospital San Diego, the largest pediatric hospital in California between 2016 and November 2021. METHODS: Using linked medical record and CPS administrative data, interrupted time series models tested for changes in monthly counts and percentages of CM medical encounters reported to CPS with the onset of COVID-19. Logistic regression tested for the likelihood of a CPS report being associated with a CM encounter. RESULTS: CM medical encounters totaled 2528, including 793 after the onset of COVID-19. Interrupted time series models indicated with the onset of the pandemic, the counts of CM encounters increased 18 % (RR: 1.18, 95 % CI 1.03-1.34) and the percentages reported to CPS increased 10 % (RR: 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.05-1.17). CM encounters that occurred after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had increased odds of a CPS report (fully adjusted model: OR: 1.08; 95 % CI: 1.05-1.12). CONCLUSIONS: This study found increases in monthly counts and a higher percentage of CM medical encounters with CPS reports after the pandemic onset.

Child abuse reporting policies in the form of mandatory reporting continues to expand both in scope and practice across the United States (U.S.). With this development, it is important to understand whether there is a relationship between mandatory reporting laws and reporting behavior while analyzing how any response differs across professional organizations. Mandatory reporting laws serve as a top-down policy used by legislatures to alter the reporting behavior of practitioners, especially within education, law enforcement, and the social services. The reporting behavior of these professionals are important to analyze because they account for the three largest reporting groups in the U.S. After investigating 18 years of child abuse reporting state data from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect, I find that the reporting response to this policy differs across professional organizations. Both law enforcement and social workers reporting of suspected abuse does not change regardless of whether the reporting law is adopted. Education personnel, on the other hand, do alter their reporting behavior when a mandatory reporting law is enacted. Specifically, the decline in reporting is attenuated after the policy is put in place. These findings demonstrate the challenges associated with designing child abuse protection policies that influence multiple professional organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This select overview examines the important intersection of adult domestic violence, including intimate partner violence and elder abuse, with brain injury. Despite the high prevalence of domestic violence amongst brain injury patients, there is a notable gap in screening and management training for providers. To provide optimal patient care, brain injury medicine clinicians must screen, recognize, and treat patients who have experienced domestic violence. This select overview highlights barriers to screening, validated screening tools from other medical disciplines, and management considerations for the brain injury clinician. A suggested protocol for domestic violence screening and management, as well as recommended resources for providers and patients, is summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been little study of animal sexual abuse (ASA). Subsequently, little is known about veterinary medical professionals' (e.g., Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Nurses) knowledge of ASA and how they may contribute to the prevention of ASA. Thus, the objective of this paper is to comprehensively study ASA in a sample of veterinary medical professionals. Eighty-eight professionals were recruited through professional associations and posts on social media to take part in a survey examining non-sexual animal abuse, ASA, and criminal justice perceptions. Results indicated that, levels of knowledge and training were much lower for ASA than non-sexual abuse. Professionals also responded punitively toward individuals who have committed sexual abuse against animals and supported long prison sentences and registries for offenders. Veterinary medical professionals were supportive of mandatory reporting of all types of abuse but did not feel prepared to testify in these cases should they go to court. These results have implications for practice as they indicate that veterinary medical professionals are not receiving enough training on abuse – particularly ASA – which could put their patients at risk of continued harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual misconduct incidents reported to Title IX coordinators and stability in incident characteristics within institutions of higher education (IHEs) over time were examined. Data included two waves of reported incidents in 2016–2018 (n = 2,598) and 2018–2020 (n = 2,778) across Maryland IHEs (N = 40). Findings showed most reported incidents were for Other Sexual Misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment) versus Sexual Assault I (i.e., rape) or Sexual Assault II (e.g., unwanted sexual touching). Types of sexual misconduct differed regarding reporting by responsible employees, nonstudent perpetrators, and the range of accommodations accessed; institutional-level profiles of sexual misconduct were stable across waves. Implications and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the frequency of notifications of interpersonal violence in Espírito Santo from 2011 to 2018, and the factors associated with this issue. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which all cases of interpersonal violence from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases in the state of Espírito Santo during the period from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed. Absolute and relative frequencies and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, as well as Poisson regression. Results: During the analyzed period, 27,277 cases were reported in Espírito Santo (P: 75%; 95% CI: 74.5-75.4), being more prevalent among females, children, and the elderly, individuals of black/mixed race, people without disabilities, and residents of urban areas. Regarding the perpetrator, there was a higher prevalence of individuals aged 25 years and older, males, with a current or former intimate partner relationship with the victim, and suspected alcohol use at the time of the aggression. In terms of the characteristics of the aggression, there was a higher prevalence of repeat violence, involving a single aggressor, and occurring in the residence. Conclusions: The notification of interpersonal violence in Espírito Santo showed a high prevalence and was associated with characteristics of the victim, aggressor, and event. This scenario reinforces the need for interventions such as professional qualification, expansion of intersectoral actions, and reformulation of public policies.

Abstract Background Domestic violence (DV) is a serious and prevalent public health problem with devastating consequences for the victims and their families. Whilst the number of cases reported to the authorities has risen in recent years, many victims still chose not to present a complaint. In Portugal, to address this, DV became a public crime. As victims of DV present multiple health problems and frequently seek professional help, family doctors are in a privileged position to detect and report cases of DV to the authorities. However, little is known about what motivates these professionals to report or not the DV cases they encounter in their practice to the authorities. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with family doctors from all regional health administrations of continental Portugal. Interviews occurred between July 2020 and September 2022, were conducted in person or remotely, audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Content analysis was conducted to assess the agreement or disagreement regarding mandatory reporting in each of the themes and subthemes. Results Fifty-four family doctors took part in this study (n = 39 women, n = 15 men). The main themes that arose from the analysis were: “Barriers related to the physician’s activity,” “Barriers related to the victim or aggressor,” “Facilitators related to the physician’s activity,” “Facilitators related to the victim or aggressor.” Although different barriers were described, most doctors agreed with the mandatory reporting of DV cases. Conclusions Family doctors encounter multiple barriers and facilitators when considering reporting a DV case to the authorities. The results of this study can help develop new interventions to address the barriers described by the doctors, increasing their compliance with mandatory reporting, the protection of victims and the just persecution of the aggressor.

A recent decision reveals how a New Zealand's disciplinary tribunal promoted justice for an unwell lawyer in a case of professional misconduct. In 2023, the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal (LCDT) applied a 'merciful approach' when assessing the lawyer's misconduct and health issues. In Auckland Standards Committee 3 v Ms W [2023], the LCDT discussed the impacts of reproductive treatment in relation to the practitioner's conduct. This decision is the foundation to compare the disciplinary regime for legal and health practitioners in New Zealand. The article outlines New Zealand's framework for discipline of lawyers, noting the absence of a health pathway. The article discusses opportunities to resolve cases involving impaired lawyers outside the disciplinary system, including benefits and disadvantages of mandatory reporting. While focusing on the legal profession, the discussion is relevant to other professions and examines health-promoting regulatory strategies from other jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Domestic violence (DV) is a serious and prevalent public health problem with devastating consequences for the victims and their families. Whilst the number of cases reported to the authorities has risen in recent years, many victims still chose not to present a complaint. In Portugal, to address this, DV became a public crime. As victims of DV present multiple health problems and frequently seek professional help, family doctors are in a privileged position to detect and report cases of DV to the authorities. However, little is known about what motivates these professionals to report or not the DV cases they encounter in their practice to the authorities. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with family doctors from all regional health administrations of continental Portugal. Interviews occurred between July 2020 and September 2022, were conducted in person or remotely, audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Content analysis was conducted to assess the agreement or disagreement regarding mandatory reporting in each of the themes and subthemes. Results: Fifty-four family doctors took part in this study (n = 39 women, n = 15 men). The main themes that arose from the analysis were: "Barriers related to the physician's activity," "Barriers related to the victim or aggressor," "Facilitators related to the physician's activity," "Facilitators related to the victim or aggressor." Although different barriers were described, most doctors agreed with the mandatory reporting of DV cases. Conclusions: Family doctors encounter multiple barriers and facilitators when considering reporting a DV case to the authorities. The results of this study can help develop new interventions to address the barriers described by the doctors, increasing their compliance with mandatory reporting, the protection of victims and the just persecution of the aggressor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-part survey was conducted, where respondents reported ethically challenging incidents encountered in the previous two years and actions taken to address them. 132 certified counseling psychologists participated and reported 136 ethical dilemmas. The top categories of dilemmas pertained to breaking confidentiality between respondents and clients, including mandatory reporting, collaborating with education associates, and interjecting by the authority. 82% of the respondents took actions to address the dilemmas. These actions ranged from steering a middle course, upholding professional ethical standards, seeking consultation to taking no actions. Potential environmental contributors to the dilemmas and actions taken to address them were explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to assess perceptions and actions taken by Finnish dental professionals in suspected cases of child physical abuse (CPA) and to describe changes over 10 years. Material and methods: Data collected from two child abuse and neglect (CAN) surveys among Finnish dental professionals, working in public health care, covering suspicions of CPA and actions taken as well as training on CPA issues, were compared. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to analyze associations. Results: In total, 625 (2008) and 1,025 (2019) questionnaires were completed. Respondents reported that they suspected CPA more frequently in 2008 than in 2019 (21.0% vs. 8.7%, p

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In Sweden, mandatory reporting in social services is regulated by the Social Services Act to protect service users and improve services. The aim of this article is to describe mandatory reports by staff and compare types of mistreatment, severity and actions across three areas of social services: elderly care, disability services, and individual and family care. All the reports written by staff and investigated by a designated official over a 1‐year period (n = 1105) in one of the largest regions in Sweden were retrieved, inductively coded and quantitatively analysed. The results showed that most of the reports related to unsafe behaviour and organisational issues. Of all the reports, 14% (n = 156) were deemed to be serious. Differences in assessing mistreatment are discussed in relation to incident reporting in health care. The need for new models of analysis for mandatory reporting in social care is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandatory reporting of elder abuse aims to detect and prevent mistreatment and improve services. Service users and their relatives can raise concerns, but only staff can file mandatory reports. This article examines how the concerns of service users and relatives were managed by designated officials in reports of mistreatments in care for older adults in Sweden. We lean on sociological theories of "interpersonal trouble" and organizational "disputes domains." The thematic analysis is based on 28 incident reports initiated by service users or their relatives. The analysis shows that the reports were managed in one of three ways: asymmetrically, by 1) dismissing or 2) supporting the complainant's position, or symmetrically, by 3) treating complainants' accounts as credible but minimizing their seriousness. There were differences between reports initiated by service users and relatives. Dismissing concerns about abuse, mainly those made by relatives, risks support for service users failing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on information asymmetry, transaction transparency, and stock market liquidity. Furthermore, this study examined the direct and moderating effect of corporate governance devices on this relationship. We apply ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to examine changes in stock liquidity for French-listed firms between the pre-IFRS and the post-IFRS period. We show that IFRS adoption is well-perceived by financial statement users. Following Boubaker et al. (2019), R. and Firoz (2022), Bansal (2023), and Agrawal and Chakraverty (2023), we found that these standards have a positive impact on stock liquidity and a negative impact on information asymmetry. In addition, audit quality has a decisive role in improving information quality. However, contrary to expectations, the independent members of the board of directors do not exercise their role of control and monitoring efficiently. We conclude that the reporting process is influenced by firm-level characteristics, and we contribute to the literature by enhancing discussion on the debate related to the benefits of IFRS adoption. Our findings can be of interest to regulatory bodies and policymakers by providing a better understanding of the factors that influence stock liquidity and decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical confidentiality is the cornerstone for a trustful relationship between patients and the health professionals attending to them. However, when history or clinical findings suggest certain offenses, statutory laws (Children’s Act, Older Persons Act, Mental Health Care Act, Sexual Offenses Act) establish a legal obligation for health professionals to report suspected instances of abuse to the police or alternatively, in some cases, to a designated social worker. Given the high rate of domestic violence and abuse in South Africa, health professionals are most likely to encounter such situations. Many clinicians are oblivious of the obligations, exposing themselves to possible liability and their patients to potential additional harm. This article aims to demonstrate the reporting requirements under the respective acts through case scenarios. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the existing legal setting are discussed briefly.

Background: In summer 2023, mandatory reporting of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by name was introduced in Germany. The stated objectives were:Methods: These objectives are examined against the background of data from mandatory reporting of RSV in the German federal state of Saxony, which has been required since 2002, and the data from the ARE (acute respiratory diseases) survey in Germany, consideringResults and discussion: An extrapolation of the previously reported data from Saxony to the whole of Germany shows that over 100,000 reports per year must be expected (more than the reports of both rota and noroviruses together). Neither the requirements of the EU Commission nor the views of an expert group of the ECDC recommend mandatory RSV reporting. Mandatory reporting by name is also not appropriate from a legal perspective. A sentinel, which is also better suited to assessing vaccinations, would be more appropriate to avoid unnecessarily overburdening the health authorities. In addition, initial experience with wastewater sentinels for RSV has shown that they may be used to record local and regional RSV infections – albeit without information on the severity of the disease and thus the burden on the healthcare system.Against this background, mandatory reporting of RSV does not appear to be appropriate. Instead, the existing sentinels should be continued and further expanded, possibly supplemented by RSV wastewater monitoring.

Following federal and state law, institutions of higher education (IHE) have implemented mandatory reporting (MR) policies, requiring some employees to report sexual violence they learn about to university officials regardless of victim/survivor consent (i.e., compelled disclosure). Proponents argue thatMR policies are beneficial (e.g., provide survivors with support), while critics argue that MR policies that limit survivor autonomy can be harmful. Given the tension between purported goals of MR policies and potential risks to survivors, the current work provided a comprehensive analysis of IHE MR policies in the United States. First, we reviewed laws shaping MR policies. Second, we analyzed MR policies from a nationally representative sample of Title IV eligible IHEs in the United States. Third, we discussed the findings in connection to extant research on MR policies, identifying key patterns and remaining gaps. Our analysis suggested that federal and state policymaking has increasingly expanded reporting mandates for IHE employees. The majority of IHEs designated all or nearly all employees as mandatory reporters, but there was more variability in the breadth of MR policies compared to the previous research. The content of MR policies mostly offered minimal instructions for employees (e.g., to whom to report) and rarely mandated trauma-informed responses (e.g., how to respond to disclosures). In light of empirical evidence, which finds that those who are most knowledgeable about survivors' needs and the process of reporting to the university (including survivors) are less supportive of MR policies, our findings further indicate that currentMRpolicies focus on compliance over victim/survivor support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandatory reporting is the central measure for child protection. However, the common alternative strategy of avoidance that is practised by child welfare workers is little discussed. This study examines the influences of child welfare workers' inconsistent perceptions and experiences on reporting. Using China Social Work Longitudinal Study 2019, a total of 2 180 child welfare workers in the child and youth service field were selected. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the perceptions and experiences associated with reporting. Child welfare workers with a moderate perception of sexual abuse (OR = 1.442*), more experiences of emotional abuse cases (OR = 1.258*) and fewer experiences of sexual abuse cases (OR = 0.703*) had greater odds of reporting than not reporting, and those with a low or moderate perception of emotional abuse (OR = 3.027*; OR = 1.691*, respectively), a moderate perception of physical abuse (OR = 1.537*) and more experiences of neglect cases (OR = 1.345*) were more likely to avoid than to not report. Social work licensure plays a moderating role. The results indicate the importance of alternative strategies, perceptions and experiences in the assessment‐decision continuum of reporting. The inconsistent perceptions and experiences of child welfare workers contribute to self‐justification in decision‐making. Implications for practices and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States (US), nurses have a mandated duty to report child abuse and neglect (CAN). Despite comprising the highest proportion of the US healthcare workforce, limited research has explored the institutional barriers they face in reporting suspected CAN. Furthermore, there is no existing valid and reliable measure of reporting relevant to US. The purpose of this research is to develop and psychometrically evaluate a scale to measure nurse knowledge and self-efficacy as CAN mandated reporters. The Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (RSCAN) tool was developed from two existing international tools to examine institutional barriers and facilitators to US nurses' professional knowledge and reporting of CAN. A convenience sample of one hundred and sixty-six US nurses primarily from the Pacific Northwest responded to an online survey. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's α were used to examine validity and internal consistency, respectively, of an initial 16-item scale. A two-factor model consisting of eight items indicated good model fit (CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.049, and SRMR = 0.028) and was internally consistent (Cronbach's α = 0.822). RSCAN is the first US instrument to reliably measure nurses' professional knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting suspected CAN. Future research can build upon these findings to recognize and support nurses in their mandated role to report CAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the influence of formal institutions, in particular legislation, on corporate human rights (HR) reporting. We use a mixed‐method approach, combining qualitative institutional analysis of two European countries — the Netherlands and Switzerland — with quantitative content analysis of annual reports of 94 listed companies for the years 2007 to 2019 (1222 firm‐years). We find that, for each observed book year, companies in the Netherlands are more willing to disclose HR information than companies in Switzerland, which we explain by their differences in formal institutional development. Our results indicate that formal institutions are essential determinants in HR reporting, both in the willingness of companies to disclose and the extensiveness of disclosure. Moreover, we observe a significant positive impact of legislation on HR reporting but find that the overall compliance levels of affected companies are low. We contribute to prior research, by providing evidence on the development and institutional drivers of HR reporting, a largely overlooked branch of sustainability reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the experiences, attitudes and knowledge of child abuse and neglect (CAN) among dentists, dental hygienists and dental nurses in Finland. A web-based CAN survey was sent to 8500 Finnish dental professionals, covering demographic characteristics, dental education, suspicion of CAN, actions taken and reasons for inaction as well as training on CAN issues. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to analyse associations. In total, 1586 questionnaires with valid data were completed. Among respondents, 25.8% had received at least some undergraduate training and 36.3% had received postgraduate training on child maltreatment issues. In addition, 43% of respondents had at least one suspicion of CAN at some point during their career. Of those, 64.3% did not refer to social services. Training positively associated with the identification of CAN and referral frequencies. Uncertainty about an observation (80.1%) and a lack of knowledge regarding procedures (43.9%) were the most frequently reported barriers. Finnish dental professionals need more education on child abuse and neglect issues. Competence related to CAN is fundamental to their skills given that all dental professionals regularly work with children and are obligated to report their concerns to proper authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aims to determine how sustainability reporting disclosures and report format affect company performance in India’s mandatory reporting environment. The study employed feasible generalised least square, panel-correlated standard errors and probit regression. The sample size is 80, and the study period is between 2010 and 2020. We find that utilizing Business Responsibility Reporting (BRR) criteria as sustainability disclosures, have a positive and statistically significant relationship with business value (Tobin’s q) and market performance (SPR). Similarly, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting disclosures positively influence the SPR and adversely affect Tobin’s q. The study shows that BRR sustainability reporting disclosure and mandatory reporting have an interactive and positive influence on Tobin’s q. Also, we see that the stand-alone sustainability reporting format positively influences market performance (SPR). Lastly, we see that a firm with a mandatory reporting responsibility will choose a report format (i.e. stand-alone) to disclose its sustainability activities. The implication from the study shows that firms that continue to employ GRI sustainability reporting in India should be aware that it does not send out sound signals that can lead to a rise in firm value or improve long-term performance.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the temporal trend of notifications of physical, sexual and emotional violence and neglect against children in Brazil between 2011 and 2019. Methods This was an ecological time-series study based on notifications of violence against children aged 0-9 years held on the Brazilian Notifiable Health Conditions Information System. Age-adjusted notification rates were calculated for Brazil as a whole, by national macro-region and by sex. Trends were assessed using Joinpoint Regression. Results We analyzed 88,820 notifications of physical violence, 87,141 notifications of sexual violence, 52,359 notifications of emotional violence and 166,664 notifications of neglect. A rising trend was identified for notifications of physical, sexual and emotional violence and neglect for Brazil as a whole and for both sexes. Neglect accounted for the highest rate (95.24 notifications per 100,000 children in 2019). The Northeast and Southeast macro-regions had rising trends for all forms of violence. Conclusion Notifications of physical, sexual and emotional violence and neglect showed rising trends in Brazil in the period studied.

To address child protection concerns countries often implement mandatory reporting (MR) laws. This ensures that relevant professionals alert child protection services of children who are at risk of or are currently experiencing abuse. However, these well-intended mandatory requirements can sometimes have unintended negative consequences that affect all those who are involved in the process. The current research investigated the experiences of Irish psychologists in implementing MR and examined if there was any personal or professional impact resulting from this process. All participants were qualified psychologists of various disciplines working in the HSE, the national health service of Ireland. A qualitative research design was implemented that consisted of thematic analysis of focus group transcripts. Three focus groups (n = 18) were conducted. Three major themes were identified within the data; the unintentional harm that is caused by MR, the contexts where reporting is needed, and the issues with the current MR system. Some benefits to MR exist but these advantages need to be considered within a greater context. The findings of the current study outlined how participants perceived aspects of MR as having significant detrimental consequences for victims of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-income women and, disproportionately low-income women of color seeking reproductive and pregnancy care are increasingly subject to what this article terms carceral care – care compromised by its' proximity to punishment systems. This article identifies the legal and health care practice mechanisms leading to carceral care and proposes solutions designed to stop criminalization at the bedside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical companies often enter into contractual arrangements with other companies to advance the development or expand patient access of licensed medicines. These partnerships include specific agreements detailing the exchange of safety-related data between the companies. Such agreements are used to fulfil regulatory reporting obligations, thereby ensuring timely awareness of potential safety considerations and formal maintenance of clinical trial applications and marketing authorisations. The authors conducted potentially the first benchmarking survey of contracts covering safety data exchange within the pharmaceutical industry. Data were analysed to establish the most common types of safety data exchanged, and the associated data exchange timelines. These data may provide an opportunity for companies to assess how their own timelines compare with others, and to consider whether there are actions they may take that could potentially improve negotiation and procedural efficiency. Ninety percent of the recipients responded to the survey, providing information from 378 individual contracts which included data from clinical trials and from postmarketing sources. Results showed less variability in the safety data exchange timelines of clinical trial ICSRs compared to the timelines of postmarketing ICSRs; these results may reflect greater harmonisation of regulatory reporting requirements for clinical trials. The variability captured in the benchmarking data reflects the challenges that contribute to the complexity of safety data exchange agreements between partner companies. The goal of the survey was to serve as a basis for future research and pursuit of additional insights that foster transparency. The aim was also to encourage the consideration of alternative approaches to address some of the challenges that we identified. Use of technology could facilitate the process of recording, tracking, and monitoring of safety data exchange within a partnership, improve efficiency through real time monitoring, and provide further insights. A proactive approach to developing agreements is essential for improved patient access and to maintain patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, nearly 60% of children under 5 years of age were cared for in out‐of‐home child care arrangements in the United States. Thus, child care provides an opportunity to identify and address potential child maltreatment. However, during the pandemic, rates of reporting child maltreatment decreased—likely because children spent less time in the presence of mandated reporters. As children return to child care, states must have regulations in place to help child care providers prevent, recognize and report child maltreatment. However, little is known about the extent to which state regulations address child maltreatment. Therefore, the purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to assess state regulations related to child maltreatment and compare them to national standards. Method: We reviewed state regulations for all 50 states and the District of Columbia for child care centres ('centres') and family child care homes ('homes') through 31 July 2021 and compared these regulations to eight national health and safety standards on child maltreatment. We coded regulations as either not meeting, partially meeting or fully meeting each standard. Results: Three states (Colorado, Utah and Washington) had regulations for centres, and one state (Washington) had regulations for homes that at least partially met all eight national standards. Nearly all states had regulations consistent with the standards requiring that caregivers and teachers are mandated reporters of child maltreatment and requiring that they be trained in preventing, recognizing and reporting child maltreatment. One state (Hawaii) did not have regulations consistent with any of the national standards for either centres or homes. Conclusions: Generally, states lacked regulations related to the prevention, recognition and reporting of child maltreatment for both centres and homes. Encouraging states to adopt regulations that meet national standards and further exploring their impact on child welfare are important next steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveChild neglect is often initially identified via adults who come into contact with children and report their suspicions to the authorities. Little is known about what behaviors laypersons view as constituting neglect and hence worth reporting. We examined laypersons' perceptions of neglect and poverty, particularly how these factors independently and jointly shaped laypersons' decisions about what warrants official reporting of neglect, and how laypersons' socioeconomic background related to their decisions.HypothesesWe anticipated that neglect would be correctly perceived as such, but that extreme poverty would also be perceived as neglect, with these latter perceptions being most pronounced among laypersons of higher socioeconomic background.MethodIn 2 studies, adults read vignettes about a mother's care of her daughter and rendered decisions about whether the mother's behavior met the legal standard of neglect and should be reported. In Study 1 (N = 365, 55% female, mean age = 37.12 years), indicators of poverty and neglect were manipulated. In Study 2 (N = 474, 53% female, mean age = 38.25 years), only poverty (housing instability: homelessness vs. not) was manipulated.ResultsLaypersons often conflated poverty and neglect, especially in circumstances of homelessness. Laypersons of lower socioeconomic background were less likely to perceive neglect in general and to report an obligation to make a referral (R2s ranged from 17-26%, odds ratios ranged from 2.24-3.08).ConclusionsLaypersons may overreport neglect in circumstances of poverty. Increasing public awareness of how to recognize and separate neglect from poverty may enhance identification of vulnerable children and families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Abstract Background Accurate identification of work-related health problems is important to understand workplace safety issues and develop appropriate interventions. Although workers’ reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses is the very first step of the reporting process, many workers may encounter challenges in reporting them to their management or workers’ compensation (WC) programs. This systematic review aimed to identify the level of workers’ underreporting of work-related injuries and illnesses and the contributing factors and reasons for underreporting among US workers. Methods This study searched PubMed (Medline), PsycINFO (ProQuest), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), EMBASE (Embase.com), and Social Science Citation Index (Web of Science) using search terms related to underreporting of work-related injury or illness. Results Twenty studies (17 quantitative and three mixed methods studies) were identified. The studies investigated reporting to management (n = 12), WC programs (n = 6), multiple organizations (n = 1), and not specified (n = 1). The timeframe used to measure reporting prevalence varied from three months to entire careers of workers, with the most common timeframe of 12 months. This review indicated that 20–91% of workers did not report their injuries or illnesses to management or WC programs. From quantitative studies, contributing factors for injury or illness underreporting were categorized as follows: injury type and severity, sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, education, and race/ethnicity), general health and functioning, worker’s knowledge on reporting, job and employment characteristics (e.g., work hour, job tenure, work shift, type of occupation, and physical demand), psychosocial work environment (e.g., supervisor support, coworker support, and safety climate), and health care provider factors. From the review of qualitative studies, the reasons for underreporting included the following: fear or concern, cumbersome time and effort in the reporting process, lack of knowledge regarding reporting, perceptions of injuries as not severe or part of the job, and distrust of reporting consequences. Conclusions The review findings indicated that low wage earners, racial/ethnic minority workers, and workers who perceive a poor psychosocial work environment encounter more barriers to reporting a work-related injury or illness. This review also identified variations in the measurement of work-related injury reporting across studies and a lack of standardized measurement. Trial registration The review was registered in the PROSPERO, an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews in health and social care (CRD42021284685).

• Concerns exist around the public reporting of healthcare-associated infections. • Hospital leaders and staff have important perspectives about these concerns. • Qualitative research methods provide insight into concerns about public reporting. • Leaders and staff voice frustration in how infections are identified and attributed. Public reporting of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) aims to incentivize improvement in infection prevention. The motivation and mechanisms of public reporting have raised concerns about the reliability of this data, but little is known about the specific concerns of hospital leaders and staff. This study sought to better understand perspectives of individuals in these roles regarding the identification and public reporting of HAIs. We conducted interviews with 471 participants including hospitals leaders (eg, administrative and clinical leaders) and hospital staff (eg, physicians and nurses) between 2017 and 2019 across 18 US hospitals. A semistructured interview guide was used to explore perspectives about the use of HAI data within the context of management strategies used to support infection prevention. Interviewees described concerns about public reporting of HAI data, including a lack of trust in the data and inadvertent consequences of its public reporting, as well as specific frustrations related to the identification and accountability for publicly-reported HAIs. Concerns and frustrations related to public reporting of HAI data highlight the need for improved guidelines, transparency, and incentives. Efforts to build trust in publicly-reported HAI data can help ensure this information is used effectively to improve infection prevention practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]