In 2009 the American School Counselor Association conducted a study to investigate the behaviors and perceptions of school counselors regarding the child abuse reporting process (Bryant, 2009). This study discusses the frequency of child abuse cases and the likelihood of school counselors to report them. It is estimated that there are three million reports of child abuse made each year in the United States, and the rates of actual child abuse are three times greater than this (Bryant, 2009). Because these rates are so high it is crucial to understand the reporting procedures. The study completed by the ASCA found that School Counselors each report approximately five cases of suspected abuse within each 12-month period. Most often, these cases involved suspected physical abuse, possibly due to the visibility of the symptoms with physical injuries (Bryant, 2009). Schools wit higher percentages of free and reduced lunch qualifying students accounted for more cases of child abuse reported by school counselors. When asked why they report suspected abuse, counselors most often stated that they wanted to comply with the laws and protect the safety of their students (Bryant, 2009). The main factor preventing School Counselors from reporting certain suspicions was a lack of evidence (Bryant, 2009). 

            The topic of Child Abuse is important to educators because they have the most access to students; therefore they are most often the reporters of abuse. Educators and school counselors should be aware of the laws in their respective states that relate to child abuse reporting procedures. All states require that educators report any cases of suspected abuse in good faith, and if it is proven that they fail to do so they can be prosecuted. In order to protect the children they serve, and their careers, educators must report cases of suspected abuse. It is important that I understand this legal and ethical issue as I further my career as a school counselor. Students often share aspects of their home life with School Counselors that they may not share with other adults, so I must be prepared to identify suspicions of abuse and report them. In my future role I will need to understand the signs of all types of abuse, because students will not always disclose information verbally. Child Abuse is a very important legal and ethical issue that all Educators must be prepared to deal with.

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