In the eye of the beholder: The role of reporters in bringing families to the attention of child protective services

The majority of child maltreatment allegations investigated by child protective services are not substantiated, and scholars suggest that mandatory abuse reporting laws may contribute to inappropriate reports that are subsequently unfounded. The study examines factors associated with reports by different categories of reporters (i.e., school officials and day care staff; medical professionals; law enforcement and social service providers; and neighbors, friends, family, and anonymous reporters) among 1260 low-income families at risk for child protection involvement. Findings reveal that reporters report distinctly different families and mandated reporters are more likely to have their allegations substantiated. Implications for child maltreatment definitions, family visibility, and dual track response systems are discussed.