Final answer:
Failure to report abuse can lead to various charges such as failure to report a crime or child abuse, depending on jurisdiction. Many victims do not report abuse due to viewing it as a private matter, fear of retaliation, and lack of faith in police response. Child abuse reports are often made by professionals and third parties.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person fails to report abuse, the criminal charge can vary depending on the jurisdiction, but typically may include charges such as failure to report a crime or child abuse. Specific legislation often outlines mandatory reporting requirements for certain professionals.
Understanding why victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and other forms of abuse don't report incidents to authorities is complex. Research indicates that reasons include considerations that abuse is a private matter, fear of retaliation, desire to protect the abuser, and a lack of confidence in the police to take action. For example, according to Catalano (2007), 22% of females and 39% of males consider abuse a private matter and therefore do not report. Moreover, fears of retaliation play a significant role, with 12% of females and 5% of males citing it as the reason for nondisclosure.
Notably, child abuse is often reported by third parties like teachers, law enforcement personnel, and social services staff, accounting for three-fifths of reports. The remaining reports typically come from anonymous sources, other relatives, parents, friends, and neighbors.