Legal and Ethical Issues in the Treatment of Multiply Victimized Children

Abstract

The article discusses several common legal and ethical issues faced by clinicians when treating families where singular and multiple child victimization is an issue. The authors differentiate between legal requirements and ethical mandates, explore factors affecting reporting decisions, how dual relationships compromise treatment process, and clinicians' scope of competence and professional knowledge in child maltreatment cases. Each issue is addressed within the context of responding to cases where a child(ren) has been multiply victimized.