Final answer:
The duty to report covers a range of individuals, especially professionals like teachers, law enforcement, and social services staff, as well as the general public in some cases, to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Infants are a highly vulnerable group, and factors like poverty can contribute to neglect. Protecting children from maltreatment is a broad societal responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The duty to report a child in need of protection applies to a wide range of individuals, especially professionals who are regularly in contact with children. This includes teachers, law enforcement personnel, social services staff, and others who through their professional capacity may observe signs of abuse or neglect. The law mandates these individuals to report suspected child abuse or neglect. In some jurisdictions, the mandate to report may also extend to the general public, which means that friends, neighbors, and other non-professionals are encouraged or required to report any suspicions of child maltreatment.
Infants, being the most victimized population, are particularly vulnerable to neglect. Many factors, including cultural values, standard of care in the community, and poverty, can contribute to neglect. When parents fail to utilize available services to aid their children, child welfare services have the authority to intervene. In addition to professionals, approximately 40% of reports are made by other sources such as anonymous reporters, parents, relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Protecting children from abuse and neglect is a societal responsibility, and the cover of the duty to report extends to a broad network of people who may interact with children in a way that allows them to observe potential signs of maltreatment.