Child Abuse and Neglect Red Flags for Mandated Reporters Providing Online Services

Mandated reporters are professionals that, as part of their professional duties, are expected to report suspected child, dependent adult, or elder abuse. Reporting suspected child abuse and neglect have become more difficult for clinicians, as their usual ways of assessing are not accessible during a time of social distancing and online therapy. As someone who has been doing online therapy with children and families for years, I’ve had to make child abuse reports. I provide the common red flags seen during online therapy for potential child abuse.