RE: Abuse Records/Confidentiality Laws

["Barbara Meddin" <barbarme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

stephanie - thanks for that - you say a parent or guardian can access the report - what if the parent or guardian is the perpetrator?

thanks


Dr. Barbara Meddin
Senior Advisor, Social Work Services
Family and Children's Services
Perth, Western Australia
barbarme@fcs.wa.gov.au 


>>> reillys@uwgb.edu 06/08/01 02:05am >>>
In Wisconsin, all child abuse and neglect investigative reports are
confidential.  They can be released by the county department of social or
human services only to people/agencies specified in the law, minus any
information that would identify the reporter.   Subjects of reports, this
includes the victim(s) and alleged maltreater(s), as well as the child
victim's parent(s), guardian or legal custodian are able to obtain a copy of
the investigative report.  However, a parent, guardian, custodian or
maltreater may not re-release the report to anyone not specifically
identified in statute as able to obtain the report.  In the county agencies
I have worked in, the agency person releasing the investigative report
usually has a conversation with the person requesting the report and
explains the law on re-releasing of investigative reports.  Additionally,
the reports contain a statement at the top of the page that the record may
only be re-released in accordance with the law and the statute # is then
sited.

Stephanie Reilly
NEW Partnership for Children and Families
UW-Green Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Laurian Schmidt [mailto:laurian_schmidt@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 9:02 AM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: Abuse Records/Confidentiality Laws


I am trying to gather information on state laws
governing the confidentiality of child abuse records. 
I would like information specifically addressing the
issue of perpetrators and custodians releasing child
abuse reports. 
Your assistance is appreciated.
Laurian Schmidt

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