Child abuse reporting bill should be signed

A bill that passed the New York State Senate and Assembly would require anyone filing a child abuse report to identify themselves with the assurance of confidentiality. Gov. Kathy Hochul should sign the bill — but only if it is amended.

There are many instances of anonymous child abuse reports being filed on the state's hotline, 1-800-342-3720, that are deliberate efforts to harass someone. These false allegations not only drain resources and result in fewer caseworkers available to handle real claims, they protect those who make wrongful claims. The bill ends anonymous filings and requires anyone making a claim to provide their name and phone number if they want it investigated. Identities would be kept confidential and could only be released by a court order in limited circumstances. Mandated reporters such as social workers, teachers and school officials, medical professionals, camp directors, addiction counselors and — as of the end of this year — athletic trainers already must provide their name.

Judging child abuse or neglect can be difficult. Is a child's bruise from playing in the neighborhood or abuse? Is a preschooler who says their father hit them calling out for help or describing a playful interaction? It’s sometimes hard to tell, which is why trained caseworkers are crucial in making sure substantiated claims are pursued.

Anonymous false reports are like swatting or doxing. They can cause deep and lasting damage to a wrongly accused family. Often it happens in bitter custody disputes when the child become a pawn. Falsely reporting child abuse is a crime, but with anonymity protections, law enforcement has a difficult time identifying and prosecuting perpetrators.

Even if a report is made by a person who divulges their name, it doesn't mean guilt. An investigation must still occur, and if it determines no child abuse occurred, the family is still left with the experience of being investigated.

Eliminating anonymity might discourage someone from reporting a suspected case of child abuse, which is why the bill's protection of the identity of someone making a claim is so important. But getting rid of anonymity will likely also reduce the number of false or malicious claims.

However, Hochul must add a chapter amendment to the bill requiring the legislature to collect data on the impact of abolishing anonymous reporting. Did any cases fall through the cracks because a person feared retaliation? This is especially concerning when it comes to sex trafficking cases when making the call brings a reasonable fear of harm. Perhaps there can be an exception for these claims. 

The extraordinarily difficult topic of child abuse reporting makes reform challenging, but we all have the profound duty to protect children — and that includes preserving resources for actual instances where a child is in harm's way.