Presentation given at the 2023 Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference, on the topic of "Adding Friction to Mandatory Reporting: The Case for Survivor-Centered Research." Mandatory reporting laws require the reporting to a designated government agency of a known or suspected case of abuse or neglect of children, elders, or other dependent adults. While these laws vary, researchers can be mandated to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect under a wide range of circumstances. This paper argues that a survivor-centered and trauma-informed research praxis calls for (1) actively challenging biased or uncritical reporting and the myth of a neutral researcher/mandated reporter, (2) working to minimize avoidable reporting, (3) moving from mandatory reporting to supporting, and (4) using harm reduction strategies to center survivors at all stages. Ultimately, a survivor-centered approach to mandatory reporting in research means valuing the consent and agency of those who will live with the life-altering consequences of researcher-made reports.

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research www.thinkof-us.org Page 1
Adding friction to
mandatory reporting:
Sarah Fathallah
@sft7la
The case for survivor-centered research

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
The act by people designated to be mandated
reporters of reporting to the relevant authorities
known or suspected cases of abuse or neglect
of children, elders, adults with disabilities, or
other dependent adults.
Mandatory reporting
/ˈmandəˌtôrē rɪˈpɔːr.t̬ɪŋ/

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Speaking of
luggage, tell me
about a time
when you had
to pack your
bags quickly…

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Last month, I had
to leave the house
in a hurry because
the neighbor was
hurting my sister
and I was scared.

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
I’m afraid you
just shared
something with
me that I have to
report to the
authorities…

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
researcher
+
mandated reporter

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
mandated by training
by IRB
by location

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
any adult is a
mandated reporter

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
civil or criminal penalties
professional sanctions
catastrophizing language
immunity
no burden of proof
saviorist language

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Mandatory reporting
is highly incentivized…

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Mandatory reporting
is highly incentivized…
and potentially harmful.

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
● Alleged abuse occurs
● Allegation is reported
● Report is investigated
● Abuse is stopped
● Survivor is protected

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
● Alleged abuse occurs
● Allegation is reported
● Report is investigated
● Abuse is stopped
● Survivor is protected
Biased or unsubstantiated allegation
Unconsented reporting
Invasive and traumatizing process
Potential retaliation
Potential worse outcomes for survivor
+ deterrence from seeking future help

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
How might researchers navigate
knowing that mandatory reporting
can harm participants, while being
mandated to report, by law?

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Challenging
the neutrality
of mandatory
reporting
Moving from
mandatory
reporting to
supporting
Using harm
reduction
strategies to
center survivors
Minimizing
avoidable
reporting
Principles for a survivor-centered approach
to mandatory reporting in research

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Strategies prior to research interactions
Strategies prior to potential disclosure during research interactions
Strategies after a disclosure

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Strategies prior to research interactions
● Understand the minimum requirements for reporting.
● Minimize potential disclosure through prudent research design.
● Train researchers on the context of mandatory reporting.
● Craft accessible explanations of mandatory reporting for participants.
● Prepare resources and referrals to support participants.

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
● Minimize unintentional disclosure through upfront information.
● Use alternative language and hypotheticals to circumvent the need for reporting.
● Offer to report anything participants would like reported with them or for them.
● Remind participants of mandatory reporting obligations throughout.
● Make use of gentle interruptions when anticipating an impending disclosure.
Strategies prior to potential disclosure during research interactions

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
● Inform the participant of the report that needs to be made and what it will entail.
● Give the participant the opportunity to determine their level of involvement.
● Take the time to process with the participant.
● Offer participants resources and referrals available.
● Make the report in a way that mitigates harm as much as possible.
Strategies after a disclosure

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
How else can researchers
problematize and add friction
to mandatory reporting?

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Adding friction to mandatory reporting: The case for survivor-centered research
Title of presentation
Thank you
sarah.fathallah@thinkofus.org
@sft7la
Any questions?