Am I wrong not to report an incident?
Question:
I am a mandated reporter and a former co-worker told me of an instance where she was kicked in the stomach while pregnant. She told me that she hit the patient back. The thing is that being a mandated reporter my opinion and logic don’t matter. However, she just told me a few days ago and this event was a year ago. Neither of us works for the company and the patient is deceased. My question is since mandated reporting laws don’t have a limit, I’m technically breaking the law by not telling, but what about God's law? I know as Christians we are to follow the laws and authority given to us and since there is no statute of limitation to report, will God forgive me for not reporting her? How can I repent of this if I don’t feel guilt or remorse about staying quiet? It just seems pointless and causing unnecessary conflict because I know the claims will be dismissed then I will have an enemy. I’m always trying to figure out what is a salvation issue and what isn’t. Would this jeopardize my standing with God?
Answer:
"A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities" ["What is a Mandated Reporter?"]. I have to assume that in your location this law was expanded to report cases of elder abuse as well as child abuse.
While you believe that the case will be dismissed, you cannot allow yourself to be the judge in this matter. The concern will be whether there is a pattern of using violence to get patients to behave. It does sound like it is a case of self-defense, but I don't know all the details.
Since your job requires reporting cases of abuse, then you have to fulfill the obligation you agreed to when you took the job. You can mention in your report that you don't think there is anything that can be done about the problem. If your friend figures out that you made the report and no longer talks to you, you must remind yourself that she is the one who struck a patient and didn't tell her employer as she was required to do.
Basically, it comes down to you showing integrity by keeping your commitment that you accepted when you took the job.
"O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; he swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken" (Psalms 15).
Response:
Thank you. The person I worked with is no longer in the field or working in the profession. But what you said is still correct.
