In 1962 Dr. C. H. Kempe and his associates published “The Battered Child Syndrome” which first identified child maltreatment as a medical condition indicated by injuries such as fractures, failure to thrive, and subdural hematomas in infants.
Yet, sixty years later, our study of child fatalities in Minnesota is showing that medical providers often miss or dismiss such signs of abuse, despite being mandated reporters.
Training is readily available, for example through the Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, but providers aren’t required to take it, and there are competing priorities for their time. Also, there are few consequences for failure to report maltreatment except in rare circumstances when providers get sued, for example in the murder of Arianna Hunziker.
Legislative or licensing training requirements could help. Although getting these options implemented would be a lengthy process, they are worth exploring.
Listen to this week’s podcast which features Rich Gehrman’s summary and detailed recap of Minnesota’s Inaugural Conference on Family Violence, which Safe Passage for Children organized and hosted, and which happened on 10/14/22, here or wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.
Read the transcript of the podcast here.