RE: Abuse Records/Confidentiality Laws

[John M Price PhD <jmprice@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 10 Jun 2001, Barbara Meddin wrote:

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

At that point, doesn't it become a right of the accused, as in the
discovery laws?


> 

> 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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-- 
John M. Price, PhD                                     jmprice@calweb.com
Life: Chemistry, but with feeling!      |      PGP Key on request or FTP!
Comoderator: sci.psychology.psychotherapy.moderated          Atheist# 683