Which statement about partner abuse reporting is accurate?

In California, the guidelines around partner abuse reporting delineate specific responsibilities for different types of professionals. The accurate statement regarding partner abuse reporting is that only certain professionals, specifically mandated reporters, have the legal obligation to report suspected abuse. These mandated reporters include healthcare providers, but the requirement is not universal across all practitioners.

When discussing the correct response, it should be noted that many healthcare providers, including therapists, have a duty to report suspected cases of abuse if they have direct evidence or knowledge of it, regardless of whether they are treating physical injuries. However, it is not limited solely to doctors treating injuries; rather, it encompasses all healthcare providers who suspect abuse.

Therapists, for example, must report instances of suspected abuse they encounter in their practice, following mandatory reporting laws. This includes not only physical abuse but also abuse of children, elder abuse, and domestic violence, which requires careful consideration of specific circumstances.

Family members traditionally do not have the legal authority to make reports on behalf of victims unless they fall under a specific mandated reporter category, which further emphasizes the need to identify the appropriate entities responsible for these reports.

In conclusion, the assertion that only doctors treating injuries can report does not accurately reflect the broader obligations of various healthcare providers involved in recognizing