Question one
Susan’s mother was initially aware of the abuse but got reluctant to report her daughter’s case to relevant authority, which amounts to a breach of law punishable under the Florida statutes. This is because, the law demands mandatory reporting of any child mistreatment. This will render Betty accountable for the whole act even if she was not directly involved. Even if she were not aware, the law under the code of default care would still bind her. As a single mother, Betty ought to give an optimum care to her young daughter since the law remains to hold despite the economic struggle one is in (Earle, 2000). In order to obtain reality about knowledge acquisition of a person, thorough investigations should be carried out. This would help determine whether the whole matter is true.
Question two
The roles of the child protection teams include supporting of activities of the programs aimed at addressing child abuse case. They are also responsible for providing appropriate services and support that are required by the affected children. In order to achieve this, the teams conduct diagnostic assessment, consultation, coordination, and other services such as evaluation services and medical diagnosis, which involves provision of health related services such as laboratory tests, treatment, and documentation of the findings to aid in filing of cases and provide testimonies in courts against the offenders. The team also conducts psychological counseling to the affected children and parents in order to help them overcome such tragedies. In addition to offering support services, the team is also responsible for proving appropriate training to employees to employees in other departments providing children and family services. Finally, the team offers education and awareness programs to the community on abandonment, child abuse, and neglect in order to empower the community to more successfully recognize, mitigate, and treat abandonment, child abuse, and neglect in the community. CPT would assist Susan and her mother to conduct laboratory test, medical diagnosis, and documentation of the findings as this will assist in filling a case against the offender. From the case study, it is evident that Susan’s mother work for longer hours and lack financial resources to get a good baby sitter or even file a case against the offender. CPT can help the family to locate suitable caregivers from other private and public agencies in her community to avoid such occurrences in the future.
Question three
Reporting a child abuse especially by the victims themselves is quite challenging. As shown in this case, the children are threatened. Some are also not aware that what has happened to them amounts to abuse. Susan was threatened and it was until her condition got worse when she decided to confide to her teacher. Fear of being ashamed of what would follow makes children fail to report their abuse. Some people find it hard to prosecute their family members who get involved in child abuse. Some people find it hard to press charges against family members and close friends for abusive acts committed against them. In some cases, the victims get threats from the abusers as exemplified in Susan’s case where the victim was not able to disclose her ordeal until things got out of hand.
References
Earle, K. (2000) Child neglect and abuse: Alaska, Child welfare association press
