Suppose a girl is being abused by her uncle. She doesn’t experience it as terrible but she wants it to stop. But she doesn’t want to face a formal investigation, which involves endless interrogations for her, embarrassing publicity, family strife, and perhaps sending her uncle to prison for 10 years.
Most young children wouldn’t understand the implications of a formal investigation. Children are not mature enough to decide what the correct way to handle the situation is.
ETA: I’d like to understand the thought process behind the downvotes.
I’ll confess that in this case I was thinking of a 14-year-old girl, and I’ve been mostly focusing on prepubescents in other places. For younger children, their parents are of course much more likely to be involved and key players. They too should be able to get outside help without automatic triggering of mandated reporter laws.
Most young children wouldn’t understand the implications of a formal investigation. Children are not mature enough to decide what the correct way to handle the situation is.
ETA: I’d like to understand the thought process behind the downvotes.
I’ll confess that in this case I was thinking of a 14-year-old girl, and I’ve been mostly focusing on prepubescents in other places. For younger children, their parents are of course much more likely to be involved and key players. They too should be able to get outside help without automatic triggering of mandated reporter laws.