Retaliation fears curb child abuse reporting

TORONTO -- Fear of retribution is the No. 1 reason Ontario residents give for not reporting child abuse, a survey says. The survey, commissioned by the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, also indicated more than 55% said they would shy away from reporting abuse by someone they knew well and 48% said they would be more likely to report someone they knew only casually. Jeanette Lewis, executive director of the association, said it's clear there is still a stigma about reporting child abuse. "Our fear is that the understandable discomfort involved in reporting possible mistreatment will result in a child being overlooked." Lewis said yesterday. .

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