The abuse of abuse reporting

Child abuse, sexual and otherwise, is a major and growing problem around the world that must be addressed forcefully. But, in doing so, we should all be wary of the exaggeration and paranoia that comes with well-meaning efforts, as with the ever-present danger of false reporting by people who have ulterior motives for accusing someone of these crimes. The use of hotlines to report child abuse, although useful, has brought about anonymous information that has to be investigated and, often, puts in motion a process that ends up with unwarranted action being taken, for fear of being charged with negligence in the performance of a public duty. The pressure to "do something" can and does lead to act, even when it is unwise to do so.

Here in Puerto Rico, we have had this problem of overreacting to child abuse. For the past few years, there have been over 30,000 yearly reports of child abuse, 85% of which have been found to be groundless. Evidently, people have a very poor idea of what child abuse is, and there are also reports that are knowingly made in bad faith. As a result, families are destroyed, reputations are tarnished, and public resources are squandered in worthless investigations and prosecutions.

Yes, there is a big problem out there, but fear and loathing make it much worse.

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