What must EMTs do with suspected cases of child abuse?

EMTs are mandated reporters, which means that they have a legal and ethical obligation to report any suspicions of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. The rationale behind this requirement is to protect the welfare and safety of children, as they may not have the ability to advocate for themselves in situations of abuse. Reporting suspected cases allows trained professionals to investigate and intervene if necessary, potentially safeguarding the child from further harm.

In practice, this means that if EMTs encounter indicators of abuse during their assessments or interactions with a child, they must document their observations and report them to the designated authorities, such as child protective services, rather than trying to investigate the situation themselves or consulting with parents first. Doing so helps ensure that qualified individuals are tasked with evaluating the situation appropriately and that the child's safety is prioritized.