Final answer:
Mandated reporters are not required to investigate abuse, but rather to report it. Many abuse cases remain unreported due to various reasons, such as viewing abuse as a private matter or fear of retaliation. Over 3.3 million child abuse reports were made in 2010, largely by professionals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mandated reporters must investigate any suspected cases of abuse. The statement is false, as mandated reporters are not required to investigate; their duty is to report suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities who then undertake the investigation.
It is significant to note that a considerable amount of abuse cases go unreported. Studies indicate that abuse, whether reported or not, has substantial effects on families and the broader society. Especially for children, who are often the most vulnerable victims, the impact is profound. In 2010, more than 3.3 million reports of child abuse encompassed around 5.9 million children, and professionals such as teachers and law enforcement personnel were responsible for three-fifths of these reports.
Moreover, there are various reasons why victims might not report abuse which include concerns such as believing that the abuse is a private matter or fearing retaliation. This chart outlines the percentages of female and male victims who offered specific reasons for not reporting abuse to police authorities.