Dr Glenn Lipson was interviewed June 2012 for a article that appeared in the D. C. Bar Association article called “Beyond the Penn State Scandal: Child Abuse Reporting Laws”
In November 2011 college football lovers throughout the United States were shocked by news that former Pennsylvania State University defensive coordinator Gerald “Jerry” Sandusky was accused of sexually assaulting at least one young boy.
As the details unfolded, the scope of the scandal widened. Sandusky was accused of sexually assaulting not one, not two, but 10 boys over a 15–year period. Sandusky claimed he was “horsing around” with the boys he mentored through his charity.
…For some observers, the Penn State scandal exposes the problems inherent in the web of complicated laws defining the scope of who must report suspected child abuse. For others, the scandal reveals the reticence of individuals to get involved, whether required to do so by law or not. In all, the scandal reminds us that child abuse—whether sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect—threatens vulnerable members of our society.
…In most states, mandated reporters are professionals who work with children in a capacity that provides some insight into potential abuse, such as doctors and teachers.
…
Fostering Culture of Openness
Psychologists can cite a variety of reasons why individuals fail to report suspected abuse. For example, some people simply fear retribution, or they lack information about how and to whom to report.
Glenn Lipson, a forensic psychologist who specializes in sexual misconduct issues, says some individuals who suspect abuse incorrectly believe they need to have concrete proof before acting. Lipson says others may also be afraid that the authorities would not believe them, and perhaps are having trouble trusting their own instincts that something is wrong.
“When we see something occur, we don’t want to believe our own eyes, especially if this person is somebody with whom we identify or who is our peer,” says Lipson, chief executive officer of Making Right Choices, a Rancho Santa Fe, California–based company that provides training and consulting services to organizations. “People decide to wait until they are 100 percent positive.
But institutions and organizations need to create concrete policies and procedures that encourage an open conversation about concerns, child abuse experts say. The Penn State and Catholic Church child abuse cases provide examples of what not to do when faced with allegations that child abuse may be occurring. “Institutions that instantaneously focus simply on legal self-protection strategies open themselves to intense criticism and public scrutiny,” according to Huizar of the National Children’s Alliance.
Lipson encourages organizations to create a culture that fosters the sharing of “gut” feelings. “Your gut feeling that something is wrong comes from your sense of morality. By making the choice to report, you are making a choice that affirms life and health. But the problem is that people feel ambivalent about reporting a suspicion. And when there’s ambivalence, it often ends up stultifying the best efforts someone could actually make.
Lipson says some institutions, including day care centers, churches, synagogues, and schools, seem to have no clear policy and, in fact, sometimes appear to discourage reporting. Unfortunately, adds Lipson, there are situations where leaders and administrators of an organization ignore or even lash out against individuals who speak up about their concerns that abuse might be taking place, either on or off campus or grounds.
“Sometimes, with churches and other organizations, the people there are in a phase of denial,” says Lipson, also a professor of clinical and forensic psychology at Alliant International University. “Maybe they question the victim. But the danger is that there could be more victims, many more victims.”
Lipson says if organizations “teach and model strong and clear policies,” then the “negative effects of our natural defense mechanisms can be mitigated.”…
You can contact Dr. Glenn Lipson via the contact form of this website to contact Dr. Lipson
By Glenn Lipson, PhD
Jan. 26, 2016
All Rights Reserved, do not reproduce in whole or in part without the express written consent of the author.